Classic Audiobook Collection - In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield ~ Full Audiobook [drama]

Episode Date: November 18, 2024

In a German Pension by Katherine Mansfield audiobook. Genre: drama In a German Pension is a sharp, early collection of linked short stories by Katherine Mansfield, unified by the wry perspective of a young Englishwoman staying in a boardinghouse at a German spa. From the dining room table to the stuffy parlor, she watches the pension's residents perform their daily rituals: a self-important husband holding court, anxious mothers and boastful patriots, a flirtation that turns brittle, a sickroom that exposes what politeness tries to hide. As an outsider, the narrator translates each scene through her own assumptions, only to find those assumptions tested by unfamiliar customs, blunt conversation, and the constant pressure to fit in. Mansfield turns small moments - a remark about food, a lullaby, a stroll, an argument over manners - into unsettling revelations about intimacy, power, and the stories people tell to protect themselves. By moving between comedy, discomfort, and sudden tenderness, the book builds a portrait of belonging and estrangement, and of a keen mind learning, one encounter at a time, how complicated sympathy can be. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:08:40) Chapter 02 (00:16:49) Chapter 03 (00:27:57) Chapter 04 (00:41:28) Chapter 05 (00:55:11) Chapter 06 (01:16:37) Chapter 07 (01:31:59) Chapter 08 (01:39:23) Chapter 09 (02:01:32) Chapter 10 (02:18:29) Chapter 11 (02:39:29) Chapter 12 (03:03:00) Chapter 13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a German Pension. Germans at meat. Bread soup was placed upon the table. Ah, said the Herr Wright, leaning upon the table as he peered into the Turin. That is what I need. My margin has not been in order for several days. Bread soup and just the right consistency. I am a good cook myself, he turned to me.

How interesting, I said, attempting to infuse just the right amount of enthusiasm. into my voice. Oh yes, when one is not married, it is necessary. As for me, I have had all I wanted from women without marriage. He tucked his napkin into his collar and blew upon his soup as he spoke. Now at nine o'clock I make myself an English breakfast, but not much. Four slices of bread, two eggs, two slices of cold ham, one plate of soup, two cups of tea. That is nothing to you.

He asserted the fact so vehemently that I had not the courage to refute it. All eyes were suddenly turned upon me. I felt I was bearing the burden of the nation's preposterous breakfast, I who drank a cup of coffee while buttoning my blouse in the morning. Nothing at all, cried Herr Halfman from Berlin. Ah, when I was in England in the morning, I used to eat. He turned up his eyes and his moustache, wiping the soup drippings from his coat, and waistcoat. Do they really eat so much? asked Frawline Stigalah.

Soup and baker's bread and pig's flesh and tea and coffee and stewed fruit and honey and eggs and cold fish and kidneys and hot fish and liver? All the ladies eat too, especially the ladies. Certainly I myself have noticed it when I was living in a hotel in Leicester Square, cried the Hare Lath. It was a good hotel but they could not make tea. Now. Ah, that's one thing I can do, said I, laughing brightly. I can make a very good tea. The great secret is to warm the teapot. Warm the teapot, interrupted the hair, lath, pushing away his soup plate. What do you warm the teapot for? Ha ha! That's very good. One does not eat the teapot, I suppose.

He fixed his cold blue eyes upon me with an expression which suggested a thousand premeditated invasions. "'So that is the great secret of your English tea? "'All you do is to warm the teapot!' "'I wanted to say that was only the preliminary canter, "'but could not translate it, and so was silent. "'The servant brought in veal with sauerkraut and potatoes. "'I eat zahoukout with great pleasure,' said the traveller from North Germany. "'But now I have eaten so much of it that I cannot retain it.

"'I am immediately forced to—' "'A beautiful day!' I cried, turning to flora. Orlein Stiegler. Did you get up early? At five o'clock I walked for ten minutes in the wet grass, again in bed. At half-past five I fell asleep and woke at seven when I made an overbody washing. Again in bed. At eight o'clock I had a cold water poultice, and at half-past eight I drank a cup of mint tea. At nine I drank some malt coffee and began my cure. Pass me the sauerkraut, please. You do not eat it? "'No, thank you, I still find it a little strong.' "'Is it true?' asked the widow, picking her teeth with a hairpin as she spoke,

"'that you are a vegetarian?' "'Why, yes, I have not eaten meat for three years.' "'Impossible! Have you any family?' "'No.' "'There now, you see, that's what you're coming to. "'Who ever heard of having children upon vegetables? "'It is not possible. "'But you never have large families in England now.

I suppose you are too busy with your suffragetting. Now I have had nine children and they are all alive, thank God. Fine, healthy babies, though after the first one was born I had to... How wonderful, I cried. Wonderful, said the widow contemptuously, replacing the hairpin in the knob, which was balanced on the top of her head. Not at all. A friend of mine had four at the same time.

The husband was so pleased he gave a supper party and had them placed on the table. Of course, she was very proud. Germany boomed the traveller, biting round a potato, which he had speared with his knife. Is the home of the family? Followed an appreciative silence. The dishes were changed for beef, red currants and spinach. They wiped their forks upon blackbread and started again. How long are you remaining here? asked the heir rat.

I do not know exactly. I must be back in London in September. Of course you will visit Munchen. I am afraid I shall not have time. You see, it is important not to break into my cure. But you must go to Munchen. You have not seen Germany if you have not been to Munchen. All the exhibitions, all the art and soul life of Germany are in Munchin.

There is the Wagner Festival in August, and Mozart and a Japanese collection of pictures. And there is the beer. You do not know what good beer is until you have been. into Munchen. Why, I see fine ladies every afternoon, but fine ladies, I tell you, drinking glasses so high. He measured a good washstand picture in height, and I smiled. If I drink a great deal of Muncheon beer, I sweat so, said Herr Hoffman. When I am here, in the fields or before my bath, I sweat, but I enjoy it. But in the town it is not at all the same

thing. Prompted by the thought, he wiped his neck and face with his dinner napkin and carefully cleaned his ears. A glass dish of stewed apricots was placed upon the table. Ah, fruit, said Freoline Stiegler. That is so necessary to health. The doctor told me this morning that the more fruit I could eat the better. She very obviously followed the advice, said the traveller. I suppose you were frightened of an invasion too, eh? Oh, that's good. I've been reading all about your English play in a newspaper. Did you see it?

Yes, I said upright. I assure you, we are not afraid. Well, then you ought to be, said the Herr Rat. You have got no army at all, a few little boys with their veins full of nicotine poisoning. Don't be afraid, Herr Hoffman said. We don't want England. If we did, we would have had her long ago.

we really do not want you. He waved his spoon eerily, looking across at me as though I were a little child whom he could keep or dismiss as he pleased. We certainly do not want Germany, I said. This morning I took a half-bath. Then this afternoon I must take a knee-bath and an arm-bath, volunteered the herratt.

Then I do my exercises for an hour, and my work is over. A glass of wine and a couple of rolls with some sardines. They were handed cherry cake with whipped cream. "'What is your husband's favourite meal?' asked the widow. "'I really do not know,' I answered. "'You really do not know? How long have you been married?' "'Three years.'

"'But you cannot be in earnest. "'You would not have kept house as his wife for a week without knowing that fact.' "'I never really asked him. He is not at all particular about his food.' "'A pause. They all looked at me, shaking their head. heads, their mouths full of cherry stones. No wonder there is a repetition in England of that dreadful state of things in Paris, said the widow, folding her dinner napkin. How can a woman expect to keep her husband if she does not know his favourite food after

three years? Maltzait, Maltzait! I closed the door after me. End of Germans at meat. The Baron, in Inner in a German Pension by Catherine Mansfield. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan, the Baron.

Who is he, I said, and why does he always sit alone, with his back to us, too? Ah, whispered the Frau Oberer Gironswrat, he is a Baron. She looked at me very solemnly, and yet with the slightest possible contempt, a fancy not recognising that at first glance,

expression. But poor soul, he cannot help it, I said. Surely that unfortunate fact ought not to debar him from the pleasures of intellectual intercourse. If it had not been for her fork, I think she would have crossed herself. Surely you cannot understand. He is one of the first barons. More than a little unnerved, she turned and spoke to the frail doctor on her left. My omelette is empty, empty, she protested, and this is the third I have tried. I looked at the first of the Barons. He was eating salad, taking a whole lettuce leaf on his fork, and absorbing it slowly, rabbit-wise,

a fascinating process to watch. Small and slight, with scanty black hair and beard and yellow-toned complexion, he invariably wore black serge clothes, a rough linen shirt, black sandals, and the largest black-rimmed spectacles that I had ever seen. The hair, O Belera, who sat opposite me, smiled benignantly. It must be very interesting for you,

Genediga frau, to be able to watch. Of course, this is a very fine house. There was a lady from the Spanish court here in the summer. She had a liver. We often spoke together. I looked gratified and humble. Now, in England, in your boarding-house, one does not find a first-class, as in Germany.

No, indeed, I replied, still hypnotised by the Baron, who looked like a little yellow silkworm. The Baron comes every year, went on the Hare Oberlera, for his nerves. He has never spoken to any of the guests yet. A smile crossed his face. I seem to see visions of some splendid upheaval of that silence, a dazzling exchange of courtesies in a dim future,

a splendid sacrifice of a newspaper to this exalted one, a danker shone to be handed down for future generations. At that moment the postman, looking like a German army officer, came in with the mail. He threw my letters into my milk pudding and then turned to a waitress and whispered. She retired hastily. The manager of the Ponsion came in with a little tray. A picture postcard was deposited on it, and, reverently bowing his head, the manager of the Ponsion carried it to the Baron. Myself, I felt disappointed that there was not a salute of twenty-five guns.

At the end of the meal we were served with coffee. I noticed the Baron took three lumps of sugar, putting two in his cup and wrapping up the third in the corner of his pocket handkerchief. He was always the first to enter the dining room and the last to leave, and in a vacant chair beside him he placed a little black leather bag. In the afternoon, leaning from my window, I saw him pass down the street, walking tremulously and carrying the bag. Each time he passed a lamppost

He shrank a little As though expecting it to strike him Or maybe the sense of plebeian contamination I wondered where he was going And why he carried the bag Never had I seen him at the casino Or the bath establishment He looked forlorn

His feet slipped in his sandals I found myself pitying the Baron That evening a party of us were gathered in the salon Discussing the day's Cour with feverish animation. The fraubert Réguerungsrat sat by me knitting ashore for her youngest of nine daughters,

who was in that very interesting, frail condition. But it is bound to be quite satisfactory, she said to me. The dear married a banker, the desire of her life. There must have been eight or ten of us gathered together. We who are married exchanging confidences as to the underclothing

and peculiar characteristics of our husbands, the unmarried, the overclothing and peculiar fascinations of possible ones. I knit them myself, I heard the frauleira cry, of thick grey wool. He wears one a month with two soft collars. And then whispered Froelain Liza, he said to me, Indeed you please me, I shall perhaps write to your mother. Small wonder that we were a little violently excited, a little expostulatory.

Suddenly the door opened and admitted. the baron. Followed a complete and death-like silence. He came in slowly, hesitated, took up a toothpick from a dish on the top of the piano, and went out again. When the door was closed, we raised a triumphant cry. It was the first time he had ever been known to enter the salon. Who could tell what the future held? Days lengthened into weeks. Still we were together, and still the solitary little figure, head bowed as though under the weight of the spectacles, haunted me. He entered with the black bag, he retired with the black bag, and that was all. At last the manager of the pension told us the Baron was leaving the next day.

Oh, I thought, surely he cannot drift into obscurity, be lost without one word. Surely he will honour the Frau Obereragirlensrat or the Frau Felt-Lutenants' Vitsva once before he goes. In the evening of that day it rained heavily. I went to the post-office, and as I stood on the steps, umbrellaless, hesitating before plunging into the slushy road, a little hesitating voice seemed to come from under my elbow. I looked down.

It was the first of the barons with a black bag and an umbrella. Was I mad? Was I sane? He was asking me to share the latter. But I was exceedingly nice, a trifle, diffident, appropriately. reverential. Together we walked through the mud and slush. Now there is something peculiarly intimate in sharing an umbrella. It is apt to put one on the same footing as brushing a man's coat for him, a little daring, naive. I long to know why he sat alone, why he carried the bag, what he did all day, but he himself volunteered some information. I fear he said that my luggage will be damp. I invariating. I

carry it with me in this bag, one requires so little, for servants are untrustworthy. A wise idea, I answered, and then, why have you denied us the pleasure? I sit alone that I may eat more, said the Baron, peering into the dusk. My stomach requires a great deal of food. I order double portions and eat them in peace. Which sounded finally baronial. And what do you do all day? imbibed nourishment in my room, he replied, in a voice that closed the conversation and almost repented of the umbrella. When we arrived at the Pension, there was very nearly an open riot. I ran halfway up the stairs and thanked the Baronaudibly from the landing. He distinctly replied,

Not at all. It was very friendly of the Herr Oberlera to have sent me a bouquet that evening, and the frau obere gyrungsrad asked me for my pattern of a baby's bonnet. Next day the baron was gone. Sikh transit Gloria German Mundai. End of the Baron. The Sister of the Baroness, in Inner German Ponsion by Catherine Mansfield. This Librevox recording is in the public domain,

read by Peter Dan. The Sister of the Baroness. There are two new guests arriving this afternoon, said the manager of the Ponsion, placing a chair for me at the breakfast table. I have only received the letter acquainting me with the fact this morning. The Baroness von Gaulle is sending her little daughter. The poor child is dumb to make the cure. She is to stay with us a month, and then the Baroness herself is coming. Baroness von Gael, cried the frau doctor, coming into the room and positively scenting the name.

coming here. There was a picture of her only last week in sport and salon. She is a friend of the court. I have heard that the Kaiser and says do to her. But this is delightful. I should take my doctor's advice and spend an extra six weeks here. There is nothing like young society. But the child is dumb, ventured the manager apologetically.

Well, does that matter? Afflict did children have such pretty ways. Each guest who came into the breakfast room was bombarded with the wonderful news. The Baroness von Gaulle is sending her little daughter here. The Baroness herself is coming in a month's time. Coffee and rolls took on the nature of an orgy. We positively scintillated. Anecdotes of the Highborn were poured out, sweetened and sipped.

We gorged on scandals of high birth generously buttered. They are to have the room next to yours, says, the manager addressing me. I was wondering if you would permit me to take down the portrait of the Kaiser and Elizabeth from above your bed to hang over their sofa. Yes, indeed, something home-like, the Frau Obergerundsrat patted my hand, and of no possible significance to you. I felt a little crushed, not at the prospect of losing that vision of diamonds and blue-velet bust, but at the tone, placing me outside the pale, branding me as a foreigner. We dissipated the day in valid speculations,

decided it was too warm to walk in the afternoon, so lay down on her beds, mustering in great force for afternoon coffee, and a carriage drew up at the door. A tall young girl got out, leading a child by the hand. They entered the hall, were greeted and shown to their room.

Ten minutes later she came down with the child to sign the visitor's book. She wore a black, closely fitting dress, touched at throat and wrists with white frilling. Her brown hair braided was tied with a black bow, unusually pale, with a small mole on her left cheek. I am the Baroness von Gould's sister, she said, trying the pen on a piece of blotting paper,

and smiling at us deprecatingly. Even for the most jaded of us, life holds its thrilling moments. Two baronesses in two months. The manager immediately left the room to find a new nib. To my plebeian eyes that afflicted child was singularly unattractive. She had the air of having been perpetually washed with a blue bag and hair like grey wool, dressed too in a pinafore so stiffly starched that she could only peer at us over the frill of it,

a social barrier of a pinafore, and perhaps it was too much to expect a noble aunt to attend to the menial consideration of her niece's ears. But a dumb niece with unwashed ears struck me as a woman. a most depressing object. They were given the places at the head of the table. For a moment we all looked at one another with an inadina-dina-dain-dou expression. Then the frau oberegirung swat.

I hope you are not tired after your journey. No, said the sister of the Baroness, smiling into her cup. I hope the dear child is not tired, said the frau doctor. Not at all. I expect, I hope you will sleep well tonight. the Herr Oberlera said reverently. Yes.

The poet from Munich never took his eyes off the pair. He allowed his tie to absorb most of his coffee while he gazed at them exceedingly, soulfully. Unyoking Pegasus, thought I, death spasms of his odes to solitude. There were possibilities in that young woman for an inspiration, not to mention a dedication, and from that moment his suffering temperament

took up its bed and walked. They retired after the meal, leaving us to discuss them at leisure. "'There is a likeness,' mused the frau doctor. Quite. What a manner she has, such reserve, such a tender way with the child. Pity she has the child to attend to, exclaimed the student from Bonn. He had hitherto relied upon three scars and a ribbon to produce an effect, but the sister of a baroness demanded more than these. Absorbing days followed. Had she been one wit less beautifully born, we could not have endured the continual conversation about her, the songs in her praise, the detailed account of her movements. But she graciously suffered our worship, and we were more than content.

The poet, she took into her confidence. He carried her books when we went walking. He jumped the afflicted one on his knee, poetic license this, and one morning brought his notebook into the salon and read to us. The sister of the Baroness has assured me she was going into a convent, he said. That made the student from Bonn set up. I have written these few lines last night from my window in the sweet night air. Oh, your delicate chest, commented the frau, doctor. He fixed a stony eye on her and she blushed.

I have written these lines. Ah, will you to a convent fly so young, so fresh, so fair, spring like a dough upon the fields, and find your beauty there. Nine verses, equally lovely, commanded her to equally violent action. I am certain that had she followed his advice, not even the remainder of her life in a convent would have given her time to recover her breath. I have presented her with a copy, he said, and today we are going to look for wildflowers in the wood. The student from Bong got up and left the room.

room. I begged the poet to repeat the verses once more. At the end of the sixth verse I saw from the window the sister of the baroness and the scarred youth disappearing through the front gate, which enabled me to thank the poet so charmingly that he offered to write me out a copy. But we were living at too high pressure in those days, swinging from our humble pension to the high walls of palaces, how could we help but fall? late one afternoon the frau doctor came upon me in the writing-room and took me to her bosom. She has been telling me all about her life, whispered the frau-doctor. She came to my bedroom and offered to massage my arm.

You know I am the greatest martyr to rheumatism. And fancy now, she has already had six proposals of marriage, such beautiful offers that I assure you I wept and every one of noble birth. My dear, the most beautiful was in the wood. Not that I do not think a proposal should take place in a drawing-room. It is more fitting to have four walls, but this was a private wood. He said, the young officer, she was like a young tree whose branches had never been touched by the ruthless hand of man.

Such delicacy. She sighed and turned up her eyes. Of course it is difficult for you, English, to understand when you are always exposing your legs on cricket fields and breeding dogs in your back gardens. The pity of it. Youth should be like a wild rose. For myself I do not understand how your women never get married at all. She shook her head so violently that I shook mine too, and a gloom settled round my heart. It seemed we were, really, in a very bad way. Did the spirit of romance

spread her rose wings only over aristocratic Germany? I went to my room, bound a pink scarf about my hair and took a volume of Murika's lyrics into the garden. A great bush of purple lilac grew behind the summer-house. There I sat down, finding a sad significance in the delicate suggestion of half-mourning. I began to write a poem myself. They sway and languished dreamily, and we, close-pressed, are kissing there. It ended. Close-pressed did not sound at all fascinating, savoured of wardrobes. Did my wild rose then already trail in the dust? I chewed a leaf and hugged my knees. Then, magic moment! I heard voices from the summer house, the sister of the baroness and the student from Bonn. Second hand was better than nothing. I pricked up my ears.

What small hands you have, said the student from Bonn. They are like white lilies lying in the pool of your black dress. This certainly sounded the real thing. Her high-born reply was what interested me, sympathetic murmurs only. May I hold one? I heard two sighs, presumed they held. He had rifled those dark waters of a noble blossom. Look at my great fingers besides yours. But they have beautifully kept, said the sister of the Baroness shyly. The minks was love, then a question of manicure. How I should adore to kiss you, murmured the student, but you know I am suffering from severe nasal guitar,

and I dare not risk giving it to you. Sixteen times last night did I count myself sneezing and three different handkerchiefs. I threw Marika into the lilac bush and went back to the house. A great automobile snorted at the front door. In the salon, great commotion. the Baroness was paying a surprise visit to her little daughter. Clad in a yellow Macintosh, she stood in the middle of the room, questioning the manager.

And every guest the Ponsion contained was grouped about her, even the frau doctor, presumably examining a timetable, as near to the august skirts as possible. But where is my maid? asked the Baroness. There was no maid, replied the manager, save for your gracious sister and daughter. Sister, she cried sharply. Fool, I have no sister. My child travelled with the daughter of my dressmaker. Tableo Grandissimo.

End of the sister of the Baroness. Ralfisha, in Inner German Ponsion by Catherine Mansfield. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan. Fraufisher. Frauficia was the fourth. fortunate possessor of a candle factory somewhere on the banks of the Eager, and once a year she ceased from her labours to make a cure in Dorshausen, arriving with a dress basket neatly covered in a black tarpaulin and a handbag. The latter contained, amongst her handkerchiefs, soda cologne, toothpicks, and a certain

woolen muffler very comforting to the mark and samples of her skill in candle-making to be offered up as tokens of thanksgiving when her holiday time was over. Four of the clock one July afternoon she appeared at the Ponsier-Mull. I was sitting in the arbour and watched her bustling up the path, followed by the red-bearded porter with a dress-basket in his arms and a sunflower between his teeth. The widow and her five innocent daughters stood tastefully grouped upon the steps in appropriate attitudes of welcome, and the greetings were so long and loud that I felt a sympathetic glow.

What a journey, cried the Frau Fischer, and nothing to eat in the train, nothing solid. I assure you the sides of my stomach are flapping together, but I must not spoil my appetite for dinner, just a cup of coffee in my room. But, turning to the youngest of the five, heart changed, what a bast. Frauartman, I congratulate you.

Once again the widow seized Frau Fischer's hands. Carty too, a splendid woman, but a little pale. Perhaps the young man from Nuremberg is here, again this year. How you keep them all I don't know. Each year I come expecting to find you with an empty nest. It's surprising. Frau Hartman, in an ashamed apologetic voice, we are such a happy family since my dear man died. But these marriages, one must have courage, and after all give them time, they all make the happy family bigger. Thank God for that. Are there many people here just now? every room engaged.

Followed a detailed description in the hall, murmured on the stairs, continued in six parts as they entered the large room, windows opening upon the garden, which Froufisher occupied each successive year. I was reading the miracles of lords, which a Catholic priest, fixing a gloomy eye upon my soul,

had begged me to digest, but its wonders were completely routed by Froufich's arrival. Not even the white, Rhe roses upon the feet of the Virgin could flourish in that atmosphere. It was a simple shepherd child who pasted her flocks upon the barren fields. Voices from the room above, the washstand has of course been scrubbed over with soda. Poverty-stricken, her limbs with tattered rags half-covered.

Every stick of the furniture has been sunning in the garden for three days, and the carpet we made ourselves out of old clothes. There is a piece of that beautiful flannel petticoat you left us last summer. Deaf and dumb was the child. In fact the population considered her half- idiot. Yes, that is the new picture of the Kaiser. We have moved the thorn-crowned one of Jesus Christ out into the passage. It was not cheerful to sleep with. Dear Frau Fischer, won't you take your coffee out in the garden? That is a very nice idea. But first I must remove my corsets and my boots. Ah, what a relief to wear sandals again! I am needing the cure very badly this year. My nerves!

I am a mass of them. During the entire journey I sat with my handkerchief over my head, even while the guard collected the tickets. Exhausted! She came into the arbour wearing a black and white spotted dressing-gown, and a calico cap peeped with patent leather, followed by Cati, carrying the little blue jugs of malt coffee. We were formerly introduced. Fraoficia sat down, produced a perfectly clean pocket-handkerchief, and polished her cup and saucer, then lifted the lid of the coffee pot and peered in at the content mournfully. Malt coffee, she said. Ah, for the first few days, I wonder how I can put up with it.

Naturally, absent from home, one must expect much discomfort and strange food. But as I used to say to my dear husband, With a clean sheet and a good cup of coffee I can find my happiness anywhere. but now, with nerves like mine, no sacrifice is too terrible for me to make. What complaint are you suffering from? You look exceedingly healthy. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. Ah, that is so strange about you, English. You do not seem to enjoy discussing the functions of the body, as well speak of a railway train and refuse to mention the engine.

How can we hope to understand anybody knowing nothing of their stomachs? In my husband's most severe illness, the poultices, she dipped a piece of sugar in her coffee and watched it dissolve. Yet a young friend of mine who travelled to England for the funeral of his brother told me that women wore bodices in public restaurants no waiter could help looking into as he handed the soup. But only German waiters, I said. English ones look over the top of your head. There, she cried. Now you see your dependence on Germany, not even an efficient waiters, waiter can you have by yourselves. But I prefer them to look over your head. And that proves that you must be ashamed of your bodice.

I looked out over the garden full of wallflowers and standard rose trees, growing stiffly like German bouquets, feeling I did not care one way or the other. I rather wanted to ask her if the young friend had gone to England in the capacity of waiter to attend the funeral baked meats, but decided it was not worth it. The weather was too hot to be malicious, and who could be uncharitable, victimised by the flapping sensations which Froufisha was enduring until 6.30. As a gift from heaven for my forbearance, down the path towards us came the Herr Rad, angelically clad in a white silk suit. He and Frasier

were old friends. She drew the folds of her dressing-gown together and made room for him on the little green bench. "'How cool you were looking,' she said, and if I may make the remark, what a beautiful suit. Surely I wore it last summer when you were here. I brought the silk from China, smuggled it through the Russian customs both swathing it round my body.

And such a quantity, two dress lengths for my sister-in-law, three suits for myself, a cloak for the housekeeper of my flat in Munich. How I perspired, every inch of it had to be washed afterwards. Surely you've had more adventures than any man in Germany,

when I think of the time that you spent in Turkey with a drunken guide who was bitten by a mad dog and fell over a precipice into a field of attar of roses I lament that you have not written a book. Time, time, I am getting a few notes together. And now that you are here, we shall renew our quiet little talks after supper. Yes, it is necessary and pleasant for a man to find relaxation in the company of women occasionally. Indeed, I realise that. Even here your life is too strenuous. You are so sought after, so admired. It was just the same with my dear husband. He was a tall, beautiful man, and sometimes in the evening he would come down into the kitchen and say,

"'Wife, I would like to be stupid for two minutes.' Nothing rested him so much then as for me to stroke his head. The hair, that's bald, pate, glistening in the sunlight seemed symbolical of the sad absence of a wife. I began to wonder as to the nature of these quiet little after-suffer talks. How could one play Delilah to so Sean a Samson? Herr Hoffman from Berlin arrived yesterday, said the Herr Rat. That young man I refused to converse with. He told me last year that he had stayed in France in an hotel where they did not have any serviettes. What a place it must have been!

In Austria, even the cabmen have serviettes. And I have heard that he discussed frivolits. free love with Bertie as she was sweeping his room. I am not accustomed to such company. I had suspected him for a long time. Young blood, answered the Hare rat, genially. I've had several disputes with him. You have heard them, is it not so? Turning to me. A great many, I said, smiling. Doubtless you too consider me behind the times. I make no secret of my age. I am 69, but you must have surely observed how impossible it was for him to speak at all when I raised my voice. I replied with the utmost conviction, and catching Frau Fischer's eye,

suddenly realised I'd better go back to the house and write some letters. It was dark and cool in my room. A chestnut tree pushed green boughs against the window. I looked down at the horsehair sofa, so openly flouting the idea of curling up as immoral, pulled the red pillow onto the floor and lay down, and barely had I got comfortable when the door opened and Frasier entered. The Herr Rad had a bathing appointment, she said, shutting the door after her.

May I come in? Pray, do not move. You look like a little Persian kitten. Now, tell me something really interesting about your life. When I meet new people, I squeeze them dry like a sponge. To begin with, you are married? I admitted the fact. Then, dear child, where is your husband? I said he was a sea captain on a long and perilous voyage. What a position to leave you in, so young and so unprotected.

She sat down on the sofa and shook her finger at me playfully. Admit now that you keep your journey's secret from him, for what man would think of allowing a woman with such a wealth of hair to go wandering in foreign countries? Now, supposing that you lost your purse at midnight in a snowbound train in North Russia. But I haven't the slightest intention, I began. I don't say that you have, but when you said goodbye to your dear man, I am positive you had no intention of coming here. My dear, I am a woman of experience and I know the world.

While here is away, you have a fever in your blood. Your sad heart flies for comfort to these foreign lands. At home, you cannot bear the same. sight of that empty bed, it is like widowhood. Since the death of my dear husband, I have never known an hour's peace. I like empty beds, I protested sleepily, thumping the pillow. That cannot be true, because it is not natural. Every wife ought to feel that her place is by her husband's side, sleeping or waking. It is plain to see that the strongest tie of all does not yet bind you. Wait until a little pair of hands stretches across the water.

Wait until he comes into harbour and sees you with a child at your breast. I sat up stiffly. But I consider childbearing the most ignominious of all professions, I said. For a moment there was silence. Then Frau Fischer reached down and caught my hand. So young and yet to suffer so cruelly, she murmured. There is nothing that sours a woman so terrible. is to be left alone without a man, especially if she is married, for then it is impossible

for her to accept the attention of others unless she is, unfortunately, a widow. Of course, I know that sea-captains are subject to terrible temptations, and they are as inflammable as tenor-singer's, that is why you must present a bright and energetic appearance, and try to make him proud of you when his ship reaches port. This husband that I had created for the benefit of Frau Fischer, became in her hand so substantial a figure that I could no longer see myself sitting on a rock with seaweed in my hair, awaiting that phantom ship for which all women love to suppose they hunger. Rather, I saw myself pushing a perambulator up the gangway and counting up the missing buttons on my husband's uniform jacket.

Handfuls of babies, that is what you are really in need of, mused Frau Fisher. Then, as the father of her family, he cannot leave you. Think of his delight and excitement when he saw you. The plan seemed to me something of a risk. To appear suddenly with handfuls of strange babies is not generally calculated to raise enthusiasm in the heart of the average British husband. I decided to wreck my Virgin conception

and send him down somewhere off Cape Horn. Then the dinnogong sounded. Come up to my room afterwards, said Frow Fisher. There is still much that I must ask you. She squeezed my hand, but I did not squeeze back. End of Fraufuscher. Frau Bratianmaher attends a wedding in Inner German Ponsion by Catherine Mansfield.

This Libre of Ox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan. Frau Bachelemacher attends a wedding. Getting ready was a terrible business. After supper, Frau Breschenmaa packed four of the five babies to bed, allowing Rosa to stay with her and helped to polish the buttons of hair Breschenmaha's uniform. Then she ran over his best shirt with a hot iron, polished his boots, and put a stitch or two into his black satin necktie.

Rosa, she said, fetch my dress and hang it in front of the stove to get the creases out. Now mind, you must look after the children and not sit up later than half-past eight, and not touch the lamp. You know what will happen if you do. "'Yes, Mama,' said Rosa, who was nine, "'and felt old enough to manage a thousand lamps. "'But let me stay up, the pub may wake and want some milk. "'Half past age,' said the frau. "'I'll make the father tell you, too.'

"'Rosa drew down the corners of her mouth. "'But, but here comes the father. "'You go into the bedroom and fetch my blue silk handkerchief. "'You can wear my black shawl while I'm out. "'There now.' "'Rosa dragged it off her mother's shoulder, and wound it carefully round her own, tying the two ends in a knot at the back.

After all, she reflected. If she had to go to bed at half-past eight, she would keep the shawl on, which resolution comforted her, absolutely. Now then, where are my clothes? cried Herr Brescia Maha, hanging his empty letter-bag behind the door and stamping the snow out of his boots.

Nothing ready, of course, and everybody at the wedding by this time. I heard the music as I passed. What are you doing? You're not dressed. You can't go, like that? Here they are, all ready for you on the table

and some warm water in the tin basin. Dip your head in. Rosa, give your father the towel. Everything ready except the trousers. I haven't had time to shorten them. You must tuck the ends into your boots until we get there. No, said the hare.

There isn't room to turn. I want the light. You go and dress in the passage. Dressing in the dark was nothing to frau Brashema. She hooked her skirt and bodice, fastened her handkerchief round her neck with a beautiful brooch that had four medals to the virgin dangling from it, and then drew on her cloak and hood. Here, come and fasten this buckle, called here Brayson-Mah.

He stood in the kitchen, puffing himself out, the buttons on his blue uniform, shining with an enthusiasm which nothing but official buttons could possibly possess. How do I look? Wonderful, replied the little frow, straining at the waist buckle, and giving him a little pull here, a little tug there. "'Rosa, come and look at your father.' "'Air Bress and Marker strode up and down the kitchen, "'was helped on with his coat,

"'then waited while the frow lighted the lantern. "'Now then, finished at last. Come along.' "'The lamp, Rosa, warned the frow, "'slamming the front door behind them. "'Snow had not fallen all day. "'The frozen ground was slippery as an ice pond. "'She had not been out of the house for weeks past "'and the day had so flurried her

"'that she felt muddled and stupid, felt that Rosa had pushed her out of the house, and her man was running away from her. Wait, wait, she cried. No, I'll get my feet damp. You hurry. It was easier when they came into the village. There were fences to cling to, and leading from the railway station to the gust house, the little path of cinders had been strewn for the benefit of the wedding guests.

The gust house was very festive. Lights shone out from every window, wreaths of fir, twigs hung from the ledges, branches decorated the front doors which swung open and in the hall the landlord voiced his superiority by bullying the waitresses who ran about continually with glasses of beer and trays of cups and sauces and bottles of wine up the stairs up the stairs boomed the landlord leave your coats on the landing hare breschenmar completely overawed by this grand manner so far forgot his rights as a husband as to beg his wife's pardon for jostling her against the banisters in his efforts to get head of everybody else. Herr Braschenmar's colleagues greeted him with acclamation as he entered the door of the Fest-Isle, and the frow straightened her brooch and folded her hands, assuming the air of dignity

becoming the wife of a postman and the mother of five children. Beautiful indeed was the Festile. Three long tables were grouped at one end, the remainder of the floor space cleared for dancing. Oil lamps hanging from the ceiling, shed a warm, bright light on the walls decorated with paper flowers and garlands. She had a warmer, brighter light on the red faces of the guests in their best clothes. At the head of the centre table sat the bride and bridegroom. She in a white dress trimmed with stripes and bows of coloured ribbon, giving her the appearance of an iced cake or ready to be cut and served in neat little pieces to the bridegroom beside her, who wore a suit of white clothes much too large for him and a white silk tie that rose halfway

up his collar. Grouped about them, with a fine regard for dignity and precedence, sat their parents and relations, and perched on a stool at the bride's right hand, a little girl in a crumpled muslin dress with a wreath of forget-me-nots hanging over one ear. Everybody was laughing and talking, shaking hands, clinking glasses, stamping on the floor. A stench of beer and perspiration filled the air. Frau Bratima, following her man down the room after greeting the bridal party, knew that she was going to enjoy herself. She seemed to fill out and become rosy and warm as she sniffed that familiar festive smell. Somebody pulled at her skirt, and looking down, she saw Frau Rupp, the butcher's wife, who pulled out an empty chair and begged her to sit beside her.

Fritz will get you some beer, she said. My dear, your skirt is open at the back. We could not help laughing as you walked up the room with the white tape of your petticoat showing. But how frightful, said the Frau Brehmermer, collapsing into her chair and biting her lip. "'Dah, it's over now,' said Frau Rupp, stretching her fat hands over the table, and regarding her three mourning rings with intense enjoyment. But one must be careful, especially at a wedding. "'And such a fine wedding as this,' cried Frau Leibemann, who sat on the other side of Frau Brashemaher.

Fancy Teresa bringing that child with her. "'It's her own child, you know, my dear, and is going to live with them. "'That's what I call a sin against the church "'for a free-born child to attend its own mother's wedding.' "'The three women sat and stared at the bride, "'who remained very still with a little vacant smile on her lips, "'only her eyes shifting uneasily from side to side. "'Beer they've given it too,' whispered Frau Rupp,

"'and white wine and an ice. "'It never did have a stomach. "'She ought to have left it at home.' "'Frau Brachemar had turned round and looked towards the brigham, and looked towards the bride's mother. She never took her eyes off her daughter, but wrinkled her brown forehead like an old monkey and nodded now and again very solemnly.

Her hand shook as she raised her beer mug, and when she had drunk she spat on the floor and savagely wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Then the music started, and she followed Teresa with her eyes, looking suspiciously at each man who danced with her. Cheer up, old woman! shouted her husband, digging her in the ribs.

This isn't Teresa's funeral. He winked at the guests who broke into loud laughter. I am cheerful, mumbled the old woman, and beat upon the table with her fist, keeping time to the music, proving she was not out of the festivities. She can't forget how wild Teresa has been, said Fray Leidenman. Who could, with a child there?

I heard that last Sunday evening Teresa had hysterics and said that she would not marry this man. They had to get the priest to her. Where is the other one? asked Fräeléau. Brascha-Maha, why didn't he marry her? The woman shrugged her shoulders. Gone, disappeared. He was a traveller and only stayed at their house two nights. He was selling shirt-buttons. I bought some myself, and they were beautiful shirt-buttons, but what a pig of a fellow. I can't think what he saw in such a plain girl, but you never know. Her mother says she's

been like fire ever since she was sixteen. "'Frau Brechemacher looked down at her beer and blew a little hole in the froth. "'That's not how a wedding should be,' she said. "'It's not religion to love two men.' "'Nice time she'll have with this one, Frau Rook!' exclaimed. "'He was lodging with me last summer, and I had to get rid of him. "'He never changed his clothes once in two months, "'and when I spoke to him of the smell in his room,

"'he told me he was sure it floated up from the shop. "'Ah, every wife has her cross. isn't that true, my dear? Frau Breschenmeier saw her husband among his colleagues at the next table. He was drinking far too much, she knew, gesticulating wildly, the saliva sputtering out of his mouth as he talked. Yes, she assented, that's true, girls have a lot to learn. Wedged in between these two fat old woman,

the frar had no hope of being asked to dance. She watched the couples going round and round. She forgot her five babies, her man and felt almost like a girl again. The music sounded sad and sweet. Her roughened hands clasped and unclasped themselves in the folds of her skirt. While the music went on, she was afraid to look anybody in the face, and she smiled with a little nervous tremor round the mouth.

But my God, Frau Rupp cried, They've given that child to raise us a piece of sausage. It's to keep her quiet. There's going to be a presentation now. Your man has to speak. Ra Brechenmacher sat up stiffly. The music ceased, and the dancers took their places again at the tables. Air Brechenmacher alone remained standing.

He held in his hands a big silver coffee pot. Everybody laughed at his speech except the frow. Everybody roared at his grimaces, and at the way he carried the coffee pot to the bridle-peer, as if it were a baby he was holding. She lifted the lid, peeped in, then shut it down with a little scream, and sat biting her lips.

The bridegroom wrenched the pot away from her and drew forth a baby's bottle and two little cradles holding china dolls. As he dandled these treasures before Teresa, the hot room seemed to heave and sway with laughter. Frau Bressamar did not think it funny. She stared round at the laughing faces and suddenly they all seemed strange to her.

She wanted to go home and never come out again. She imagined that all these people were laughing at her, more people than there were in the room even, or laughing at her because they were so much stronger than she was. They walked home in silence. Herr Brechtler m has strode ahead. She stumbled after him. White and forsaken lay the road from the railway station to their house.

A cold rush of wind blew her hood from her face, and suddenly she remembered how they had come home together the first night. Now they had five babies and twice as much money, but... Nah, what is it? "'Dolfo,' she muttered, "'and not until she had reached home "'and prepared a little supper of meat "'and bread for her man,

"'did she stop asking herself that silly question?' "'Hair Breschenmaher, broke the bread into his plate, "'smeared it round with his fork, "'and chewed greedily. "'Good?' she asked, "'leaning her arms on the table "'and pillowing her breast against them. "'But fine!'

"'He took a piece of the crumb, "'wiped it round his plate edge, "'and held it up to her mouth. "'She shook her head. "'Not hungry,' she said. "'But it is one of the best pieces and full of the fat!' He cleared the plate, then pulled off his boots and flung them into a corner. Not much of a wedding, he said, stretching out his feet and wriggling his toes in the worsted socks.

"'No,' she replied, taking up the discarded boots and placing them on the oven to dry. "'Her Bretemacher yawned and stretched himself and then looked up at her grinning. "'Remember the night that we came home. You were an innocent one you were. "'Get along. Such a time ago, I forget.' "'Well,' she remembered, "'such a clout on the ear as you gave me, but I soon taught you. "'Oh, don't start talking. You've got too much beer. Come to bed.' He tilted back in his chair, chuckling with laughter.

"'That's not what you said to me that night. God, the trouble you gave me.' But the little frow seized the candle and went into the next room. The children were all soundly sleeping. She stripped the mattress off the baby's bed to see if he was still dry, then began unfastening her blouse and skirt. Always the same, she said, all over the world the same, but God in heaven, but stupid. Then even the memory of the wedding faded quiet.

She lay down on the bed and put her arm across her face like a child, who expected to be heard as Freer Brechenmeher Lurched in. End of. Frabrecheemacher attends a wedding. The Modern Soul In Inner German Pension by Catherine Mansfield.

This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Peter Dan. The Modern Soul. Good evening, said the Herr Professor, squeezing my hand. Wonderful weather! I have just returned from a party in the wood. I have been making me.

music for them on my trombone. You know these pine trees provide a most suitable accompaniment for a trombone. They are a sighing delicacy against sustained strength, as I remarked once in a lecture on wind instruments in Frankfurt. May I be permitted to sit beside you on this bench, canady get a flower. He sat down, tugging at a white paper package in the tail pocket of his coat. Cherries, he said, nodding and smiling. There is nothing like cherries. for producing free saliva after trombone playing, especially after Grieg's is shlieb dish. Those sustained blasts on Lieber make my throat as dry as a railway tunnel. Have so?

He shook the bag at me. I prefer watching you eat them. Aha! He crossed his legs, sticking the cherry bag between his knees to leave both hands free. Psychologically, I understood your refusal. It is your innate, feminine delicacy. in preferring etherealized sensations. Or perhaps you do not care to eat the worms.

All cherries contain worms. Once I made a very interesting experiment with a colleague of mine at the university. We bit into four pounds of the best cherries and did not find one specimen without a worm. But what would you? As I remarked to him afterwards, dear friend, it amounts to this.

If one wishes to satisfy the desires of nature, one must be strong enough to ignore the facts of nature. The conversation is not out of your depth. I have so seldom the time or opportunity to open my heart to a woman that I am apt to forget. I looked at him brightly. See, what a fat one, cried the hair, Professor. That is almost a mouthful in itself. It is beautiful enough to hang from a watch-chain. He chewed it up and spat the stone in incredible distance, over the garden path, into the flower-bed. He was proud of of the feet. I saw it. The quantity of fruit I have eaten on this benchy side, apricots,

beeches and cherries. One day that garden bed will become an orchard grove and I shall allow you to pick as much as you please without paying me anything. I was grateful without showing undue excitement. Which reminds me, he hit the side of his nose with one finger. The manager of the pension John handed me my weekly bill after dinner this evening. It is almost impossible to credit. I do not expect you to believe me. He has charged me extra for a miserable little glass of milk I drink in bed at night to prevent insomnia.

Naturally, I did not pay. But the tragedy of the story is this. I cannot expect the milk to produce somnolence any longer. My peaceful attitude of mine towards it is completely destroyed. I know I shall throw myself into a fever in attempting to plumb this want of generosity and so wealthy a man as the manager of a pension. Think of me tonight.

He ground the empty bag under his heel. Think that the worst is happening to me as your head drops asleep on your pillow. Two ladies came on the front steps at the pension and stood, arm in arm, looking over the garden. The one, old and scraggy, dressed almost entirely in black bead trimming and a satin reticule,

The other, young and thin, in a white gown, her yellow hair tastefully garnished with mauve's sweet peas. The professor drew in his feet and sat up sharply, pulling down his waistcoat. The Gorovuskas, he murmured. Do you know them? A mother and daughter from Vienna. The mother has an internal complaint, and the daughter is an actress. Fraunzonia is a very modern soul. I think you would find her most sympathetic. She is forced to be in attendance on her mother, just. now, but what a temperament. I have once described her in her autograph album as a tigress with a flower

in the hair. Will you excuse me? Perhaps I can persuade them to be introduced to you. I said, I'm going up to my room, but the professor rose and shook a playful finger at me. Nah, he said, we are friends, and therefore I shall speak quite frankly to you. I think they would consider it a little marked if you immediately retired to the house at the house. their approach after sitting here alone with me in the twilight. You know this world. Yes, you know it as I do. I shrugged my shoulders, remarking with one eye, that while the professor had been talking,

the Gorovaskas had trailed across the lawn towards us. They confronted the Herr Professor as he stood up. Good evening, quavered frau, Gorovasker. Wonderful weather. It has given me quite a touch of hay fever. "'Frawline Golovuska said nothing. "'She swooped over a rose growing in the embryo orchard "'and stretched out her hand with a magnificent gesture to the Herr Professor. "'He presented me.

"'This is my little English friend of whom I have spoken. "'She is a stranger in our midst. "'We have been eating cherries together.' "'How delightful!' sighed Frow Golovasker. "'My daughter and I have often observed you through the bedroom window, "'aventui Zanya.' Sonia absorbed my outward and visible form with an inward and spiritual glance, then repeated the magnificent gesture for my benefit. The four of us sat on the bench, with that faint air of excitement of passengers established in a railway carriage on the caviva for a train whistle.

Fragaurovasker sneezed. I wonder if it is hay fever, she remarked, worrying the satin reticule for her handkerchief. Or would it be the dew? Zonia, dear, is the dew falling? Frale and Zonia raised her face to the sky and half-closed her eyes. No, Mama, my face is quite warm. Oh, look, Herr Professor, there are swallows in flight. They are like a little flock of Japanese thoughts.

Nisdvar? Where? cried the Hare Professor. Oh, yes, I see, by the kitchen chimney. But why do you say, Japanese? Could you not compare them with equal veracity to a word? a little flock of German thoughts in flight? He rounded on me. Have you swallows in England?

I believe there are some at certain seasons, but doubtless they have not the same symbolical value for the English. In Germany, I have never been to England, interrupted Fralien Zonia, but I have many English acquaintances. They are so cold,

she shivered. Fish blooded, snapped Frouard Galovuska. without soul, without heart, without grace. But you cannot equal their dress materials. I spent a week in Brighton twenty years ago, and the travelling cape I bought there is not yet worn out, the one you wrap the hot water bottles in, Zonya.

My lamented husband, your father, Zonya, knew a great deal about England. But the more he knew about it, the oftener he remarked to me, England is merely an island of beef flesh swimming in a warm gulfs, sea of gravy. Such a brilliant way of putting things. Do you remember, Zonia? I forget nothing, Mama, answered Zonia.

Said the hair, Professor. That is the proof of your calling, Gannadicus Freilang. Now, I wonder, and this is a very interesting speculation, is memory a blessing, or excuse the word, a curse?

Frau Garabasca looked into the distance, then the corners of her mouth dropped and her skin puckered. She began to shed tears. "'Ah, God, gracious lady, what have I said?' exclaimed the hair, Professor. Zonia took her mother's hand. "'Do you know,' she said, "' Tonight it is stewed carrot and nut tart for supper. "'Suppose we go in and take our places,' her sidelong, tragic stare, accusing the professor and me the while.

I followed them across the lawn and up the steps. Frau Gorovska was murmuring, Such a wonderful beloved man. With her disengaged hand, Fraline Zonia was arranging the sweet pea garnager. A concert for the benefit of afflicted Catholic infants will take place in the salon at 8.30 p.m. Artists, Vraline Zanya Gorovaska from Vienna,

Herr Professor Wynberg and his trombone, Fraubley de Vidal, and others. This notice was tied round the neck of the melancholy Stag's head in the dining-room. It graced him like a red and white dinner-bib for days before the event, causing the Herr Professor to bow before it and say, Good appetite until we sickened of his pleasantry and left the smiling to be done by the waiter, who was paid to be pleasing to the guests.

On the appointed day, the married ladies sailed about the pension dressed like upholstered chairs, and the unmarried ladies like draped muslin dressing-table covers. Fraar Goravuska pinda rose in the centre of her reticule. Another blossom was tucked in the mazy folds of a white ante Macassar thrown across her breast. The gentleman wore black coats, white silk ties and ferny buttonholes tickling the chin. The floor of the salon was freshly polished. chairs and benches arranged, and a row of little flags strung across the ceiling. They flew and jigged in the draft with all the enthusiasm of family washing.

It was arranged that I should sit beside Frar Garovaskar, and that the Herr Professor and Zonia should join us when their share of the concert was over. That will make you feel quite one of the performers, said the Herr Professor genially. It is a great pity that the English nation is so unmusical. Never mind. Tonight you shall hear something. We have discovered a nest of talent during the rehearsals. What do you intend to reside for Alainzania?

She shook back her hair. I never know until the last moment. When I come on the stage, I wait for one moment, and then I have the sensation as though something struck me here. She placed her hand upon her collar brooch. And words come. Bend down a moment. whispered her mother.

Zanya, love, your skirt safety pin is showing at the back. Shall I come outside and fasten it properly for you, or will you do it yourself? Oh, Mama, please don't say such things. Zanya flushed and grew very angry. You know how sensitive I am to the slightest unsympathetic impression at a time like this. I would rather my skirt dropped off my body. Zanya, my heart! A bell tinkled.

The waiter came in and over the waiter came in, opened the piano. In the heated excitement of the moment he entirely forgot what was fitting and flicked the keys with a grimy table napkin he carried over his arm. The Frau Oberleur tripped on the platform followed by a very young gentleman who blew his nose twice before he hurled his handkerchief into the bosom of the piano. Yes I know you have no love for me and no forget me not. No love, no heart. and no forget me not sang the fraubleira in a voice that seemed to issue from her forgotten thimble

and have nothing to do with her. Ah, how sweet, how delicate we cried, clapping her soothingly. She bowed as though to say, Yes, isn't it, and retired, the very young gentleman dodging her train and scowling. The piano was closed, an armchair was placed in the centre of the platform,

"'Fraline Zonia drifted towards it, a breathless pause. "'Then, presumably, the winged shaft struck her collar brooch. "'She implored us not to go into the woods in trained dresses, "'but rather as lightly draped as possible, "'and bed with her among the pine needles. "'Her loud, slightly harsh voice filled the salon. "'She dropped her arms over the back of the chair, "'moving her lean hands from the wrist.

We were thrilled and silent. The Herr Professor, beside me, abnormally serious, his eyes bulging, pulled at his moustache-ins. Fraur Garabasca adopted that peculiarly detached attitude of the proud parent. The only soul who remained untouched by her appeal was the waiter, who leaned idly against the wall of the salon and cleaned his nails with the edge of a programme. He was off-duty and intended to show it. "'What did I say?' shouted the hair professor, under cover of tumultuous applause. "'Temperiment! There you have it! She is a flame in the heart of a lily. "'I know I am going to play well. It is my turn now. I am inspired for Alain Zonia,' as that lady returned to us, pale and draped in a large shore. "'You are my inspiration. Tonight you should be the soul of my trombone. Wait, only!' To right and left of us, people bent over and whispered admiration down Fralind Sonia's neck. She bowed in the grand style.

I am always successful, she said to me. You see, when I act I am. In Vienna, in the plays of Ibsen, we had so many bouquets that the cook had three in the kitchen, but it is difficult here. There is so little magic. Do you not feel it? There is none of that mysterious perfume which flue. floats almost as a visible thing from the souls of the Viennese audiences.

My spirit starves for want of that. She leant forward a chin on hand. Starves, she repeated. The professor appeared with his trombone, blew into it, held it up to one eye, tucked back his shirt-cuffs, and wallowed in the soul of Zonia Gorovaskar. Such a sensation did he create

that he was recalled to play a Bavarian d'arvaryan dance, which he acknowledged was to be taken as a breathing exercise rather than an artistic achievement. Fraal Goravuska kept time to it with a fan. Followed the very young gentleman, who piped in a tenor voice that he loved somebody with blood in his heart and a thousand pains. Fralind Zonia acted a poison scene with the assistance of her mother's pill-vile and the armchair replaced by a chaise-launge. A young girl scratched a lullaby on a woman. A young girl scratched a lullaby on a young fiddle, and the hair professor performed the last sacrificial rights on the altar of the afflicted children by playing the national anthem.

Now I must put Mama to bed, whispered Fralind Zanya. But afterwards I must take a walk. It is imperative that I free my spirit in the open air for a moment. Would you come with me as far as the railway station and back? Very well, then, knock on my door when you're ready. Thus the modern soul and I found ourselves together under the stars. What a night, she said. Do you know that poem of Sappho about her hands in the stars? I am curiously Sapphic. And this is so remarkable, not only am I sapphic,

I find in all the works of all the greatest writers, especially in their unedited letters, some touch, some signs of myself, some resemblance, some part of myself, like a thousand reflections of my own hands in a dark mirror. But what a bother, said I. I do not know what you mean by bother. It is rather the curse of my genius. She paused suddenly staring at me.

Do you know my tragedy? she asked. I shook my head. My tragedy is my mother. Living with her, I live with the coffin of my unborn aspirations. You heard that about the safety pin tonight. It may seem to you a little thing, but it ruined my first three gestures. They were impaled on a safety pin, I suggested. Yes, exactly that.

And when we are in Vienna, I am the victim of moods, you know. I long to do wild, passionate things. And Mama says, Please pour out my mixture first. Once I remember I flew into a rage and threw a washstand jug out of the window. Do you know what she said? Zonia, it is not so much throwing things out of windows.

If only you would... Choose something smaller, said I. No, tell me about it beforehand. Humiliating, and I do not see any possible light out of this darkness. Why don't you join a touring company and leave your mother in Vienna? What? Leave my poor little, sick, widowed mother in Vienna? Sooner than that, I would drown myself. I love my mother as I love nobody else in the world.

Nobody and nothing. Do you think it is impossible to love one's tragedy? Out of my great sorrows I make my little songs. That is hyna or myself. Oh, well, that's all right, I said cheerfully. But it is not all right. I suggested we should turn back. We turned. Sometimes I think the solution lies in marriage, said for Arlain Zanya.

If I find a simple, peaceful man who adores me and will look after Mama, a man who would be for me a pillow, for genius cannot hope to mate, I shall marry him. You know the hair professor has paid me very marked attentions. Oh, Fraline Zonia, I said, very pleased with myself. Why not marry him to your mother? We were passing the hairdresser's shop at the moment. Fraline Zonia clutched my arm.

You, you, she stammered, the cruelty. I am going to faint, Mama, to marry again before I marry the indignity. I am going to faint here and now. I was frightened. You can't, I said, shaking her. Come back to the Ponsion and faint as much as you please, but you can't faint here. All the shops are closed. There's nobody about. Please, don't be so foolish. Here and here only.

She indicated the exact spot and dropped quite beautifully, lying motionless. Very well, I said, faint away, but please hurry over it. She did not move. I began to walk home, but each time I looked behind me, I saw the dark form of the modern soul prone before the hairdresser's window. Finally I ran and rooted out the hair professor from his room. Fralian Zonia has fainted, I said crossly. Deleva God! Where? How? Outside the hairdresser shop in the station road.

Jesus and Maria, has she no water with her? He seized his caraf. Nobody beside her? Nothing. Where is my coat? No matter I shall catch cold on the chest. Willingly I shall catch one. You are ready to come with me? No, I said, you can take the waiter. But she must have a woman. I cannot be so indelicate as to attempt to loosen her stays. Modern souls oughtn't to wear them, said I. He pushed past me and clattered down the stairs. When I came down to breakfast next morning, there were two places vacant. at table. Fralienzonia and Herr Professor had gone off for a day's excursion in the woods. I wondered. End of the modern soul. At Lehmann's, in Inner German Ponsion by Catherine Mansfield. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan. At Leemann's. Certainly Sabina did not find life slow. She was on the trot from early morning. She was on the trot from early morning until late at night. At five o'clock she tumbled out of bed, buttoned on her clothes,

wearing a long-sleeved alpaca pinafore over her black frock and groped her way downstairs into the kitchen. Anna, the cook, had grown so fat during the summer that she adored her bed because she did not have to wear her corsets there, but could spread as much as she liked, roll about under the great mattress, calling upon Jesus and Holy Mary and Blessed Anthony himself that her life was not fit for a pig in her cellar. Zabina was new to her work. Pink colour still flew in her cheeks. There was a little dimple on the left side of her mouth that even when she was most serious, most absorbed, popped out and gave her away. And Anna blessed that dimple. It meant an extra half-hour in bed for her. It made Sabina light the fire, turn out the kitchen and wash endless cups and

sources that had been left over from the evening before. Hans, the scullery boy, did not come in until seven. He was the son of the butcher, a mean, undersized child, very much like one of his father's sausages, Sabina thought. His red face was covered with pimples and his nails, indescribably filthy. When Herr Lehmann himself told Hans to get a hairpin and clean them, he said they were stained from birth because his mother had always got so inky doing the accounts. and Sabina believed him and pitied him. Winter had come very early to Mindelbao. By the end of October the streets were banked waist-high with snow,

and the greater number of cure guests, sick unto death of cold water and herbs, had departed in nothing approaching peace. So the large salon was shut at Lehman's, and the breakfast-room was all the accommodation the cafe afforded. Here the floor had to be washed over, the tables rubbed, coffee cups set out, each with its little china platter of sugar,

and newspapers and magazines hung on their hooks along the walls before Herr Lehman appeared at 7.30 and opened business. As a rule, his wife served in the shop leading into the cafe, but she had chosen the quiet season to have a baby, and a big woman at the best of times, she had grown so enormous in the process that a husband told her she looked unappetising and had better remain upstairs,

so. Zabina took on the extra work without any thought of extra pay. She loved to stand behind the counter, cutting up slices of Anna's marvellous chocolate-spotted confections, or doing up packets of sugar almonds in pink and blue-striped bags. You'll get varicca's veins like me, said Anna. That's what the frau's got, too. No wonder the baby doesn't come. All her swellings got into her legs. and Hans was immensely interested. During the morning, business was comparatively slack. Zabina answered the shop bell, attended to a few customers who drank a liqueur

to warm their stomachs before the midday meal, and ran upstairs now and again to ask the frau if she wanted anything. But in the afternoon six or seven choice spirits played cards and everybody who was anybody drank tea or coffee. Zabina! Zabina! She flew from one table to the other, counting out handfuls of small change,

giving orders to Anna through the slide, helping the men with their heavy coats, always with that magical child air about her, that delightful sense of perpetually attending a party. How is the Fra Lehmann, the women would whisper? She feels rather low, but as well as can be expected, Zabina would answer, nodding confidentially. Fraleman's bad time was approaching. Anna and her friends referred to it as her journey to Rome, and Sabina long to ask questions, yet being ashamed of her ignorance, was silent, trying to puzzle it out for herself. She knew practically nothing except that the frow had a baby inside her, which had to come out.

Very painful indeed. One could not have one without a husband, that she also realised. But what had the man got to do with it? So she wondered as she sat mending tea-tails in the ear. evening, head bent over her work, light shining on her brown curls. Birth, what was it? wondered Sabina. Death, such a simple thing. She had a little picture of her dead grandmother dressed in a black silk frock,

tired hands clasping the crucifix that dragged between her flattened breasts, mouth curiously tight, yet almost secretly smiling. But the grandmother had been born once, that was the important fact. As she sat there one evening thinking, the young man entered the cafe and called for a glass of port wine. Sabina rose slowly. The long day and the hot room made her feel a little languid, but as she poured out the wine she felt the young man's eyes fixed on her, looked down at him and dimpled. It's cold out, she said, corking the bottle. The young man ran his hands through his snow-powdered hair and laughed.

I wouldn't call it exactly tropical, he said, but you're very snug in here. Look as though you've been asleep. Very languid, felt Sabina in the hot room, and the young man's voice was strong and deep. She thought she had never seen anybody who looked so strong, as though he could take up the table in one hand, and his restless gaze wandering over her face and figure

gave her a curious thrill deep in her body, half pleasure, half pain. She wanted to stand there close beside him while he drank his wine. A little silence followed. Then he took a book out of his pocket and Zabina went back to her sewing. Sitting there in the corner she listened to the sound of the leaves being turned and the loud ticking of the clock that hung over the gilt mirror. She wanted to look at him again.

There was a something about him in his deep voice, even in the way his clothes fitted. from the room above she heard the heavy dragging sound of Fra Leman's footsteps and again the old thoughts worried Zabina. If she herself should one day look like that, feel like that. Yet it would be very sweet to have a little baby to dress and jump up and down. Froilin, what's your name? What are you smiling at? called the young man. She blushed and looked up, hands quiet in her lap, looked across the empty table, looked across the

empty tables and shook her head. Come here and I'll show you a picture, he commanded. She went and stood beside him. He opened the book, and Sabina saw a coloured sketch of a naked girl sitting on the edge of a great crumpled bed, a man's opera hat on the back of her head. He put his hand over the body, leaving only the face exposed, then scrutinised Sabina closely. Well?

What do you mean? she asked, knowing perfectly well. Why, it might be your own photograph. The face, I mean, that's as far as I can judge. But the hair's done differently, said Sabina laughing. She threw back a head, and the laughter bubbled in her round, white throat. It's a rather nice picture, don't you think? he asked. But she was looking at a curious ring he wore on the hand that covered the girl's body,

and only nodded. Have I seen anything like it before? Oh, there's plenty of those funny ones in the illustrated papers. How would you like to have your picture taken that way? Me, I'd never let anybody see it. Besides, I haven't got a hat like that. That's easily remedied. Again, a little silence, broken by Anna, throwing up the slide.

Sabina ran into the kitchen. Here, take this milk and egg up to the frow, said Anna. Who have you got in there? "'Got such a funny man. I think he's a little gone here,' tapping her forehead. Upstairs in the ugly room, the frow sat sewing, a black shawl round her shoulders, her feet encased in red woolen slippers. The girl put the milk on a table by her, then stood, polishing a spoon on her apron. "'Nothing else?' "'Nah,' said the frow, heaving up in her chair. "'Where's my man?'

"'He's playing cards over at Schnipholz. Do you want him? Dear heaven, leave him alone. I'm nothing. I don't matter. And the whole day waiting here. Her hand shook as she wiped the rim of the glass with her fat finger. Shall I help you to bed?

You go downstairs, leave me alone. Tell Anna not to let hand scrub the sugar. Give him one on the ear. Ugly, ugly, ugly, muttered Zabina, returning to the cafe where the young man stood coat-buttoned, ready for departure. I'll come again tomorrow, said he. Don't twist your hair back so tightly. It will lose all its curl. Well, you're a funny one, she said. Good night. By the time Sabina was ready for bed, Anna was snoring. She brushed out her long hair and gathered it in her hands. Perhaps it would be a pity if it lost all its curl.

Then she looked down at a straight chemise and drawing it off, sat down on the side of the bed. I wish, she whispered, smiling sleepily. There was a great big looking-glass in this room. Lying down in the darkness, she hugged her little body. I wouldn't be the fra for 100 marks, not for a thousand marks, to look like that. And half-dreaming, she imagined herself heaving up in her chair,

with the port wine bottle in her hand as the young man entered the cafe. Cold and dark the next mornings, Zabena awoke, tired, feeling as though something heavy had been pressing under her heart all night. There was a sound of footsteps shuffling along the passage. Herr Lehman! She must have overslept herself. Yes, he was rattling the door handle. One moment, one moment, she called, dragging on her stockings.

Bina, tell Anna to go to the French. But quickly, I must ride for the nurse. Yes, yes, she cried. Has it come? But he had gone, and she ran over to Anna and shook her by the shoulder. The frow, the baby, Herr Lehman, for the nurse, she stuttered. Name of God, said Anna, flinging herself out of bed. No complaints today.

Importance, enthusiasm in Anna's whole bearing. You run downstairs and light the oven, put on a pan of water. speaking to an imaginary sufferer as she fastened her blouse. Yes, yes, I know, we must be worse before we are better. I'm coming, patience! It was dark all that day. Lights were turned on immediately, the cafe opened and business was very brusque. Anna, turned out of the frowse room by the nurse,

refused to work and sat in a corner nursing herself, listening to sounds overhead. Hans was more sympathetic than Sabina. He also forsook work, stood by the window, picking his nose. But why must I do everything, said Sabina, washing glasses. I can't help the frow. She oughtn't to take such a time about it.

Listen, said Anna. They've moved her into the back bedroom above here, so as not to disturb the people. That was a groan, that one. Two small beers shouted Herr Lehman through the slide. One moment, one moment. At eight o'clock the cafe was deserted. Sabina sat down in the corner without her sewing.

Nothing seemed to have happened to the frow. A doctor had come, that was all. Ah, said Sabina, I think no more of it. I listen no more. Ah, I would like to go away. I hate this talk. I will not hear it. No, it is too much.

She leant both elbows on the table, cupped her face in her hands and pouted. But the outer door suddenly opening, she sprang to her feet and laughed. It was the young man again. He ordered more port and brought no book this time. Don't go and sit miles away, he grumbled. I want to be amused.

And here, take my coat. Can you dry it somewhere? Snowing again. There's a warm place. The lady's cloakroom, she said. I'll take it in there just by the kitchen. She felt better and quite happy again. I'll come with you, he said.

I'll see where you put it. And that did not seem at all extraordinary. She laughed and beckoned to him. In here, she cried. Feel how warm! I'll put more wood on that oven. It doesn't matter. They're all busy upstairs.

She knelt down on the floor and thrust the wood into the oven, laughing at her own wicked extravagance. The frow was forgotten. The stupid day was forgotten. Here was someone beside her laughing, too. They were together in the little warm room, stealing Herr Lehman's wood. It seemed to me.

most exciting adventure in the world. She wanted to go on laughing or burst out crying or catch hold of the young man. What a fire, she shrieked, stretching out her hands. Here's a hand, pull up, said the young man. There now, you'll catch it tomorrow. They stood opposite to each other, hands still clinging. And again that strange tremor thrilled Sabina. Look here, you said roughly. Are you a child? or are you playing at being one? Aye, I... Laughter ceased.

She looked up at him once, then down at the floor, and began breathing like a frightened little animal. He pulled her closer still and kissed her mouth. "'Nah, what are you doing?' she whispered. He let go her hands. He placed his on her breasts, and the room seemed to swim round Zabina,

suddenly from the room above a frightful tearing shriek. She wrenched herself away, tightened herself up. Who did that? Who made that noise? In the silence the thin whaling of a baby. Ah! shrieked Sabina, rushing from the room. End of at Lehman's. The Luftbad in In a German Pension by Catherine Mansfield. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan.

The Luftbad. I think it must be the umbrellas which make us look ridiculous. When I was admitted into the enclosure for the first time and saw my fellow bathers walking about very nearly in their naked, it struck me that the umbrellas gave a distinctly little black Sambo touch. Ridiculous dignity in holding over yourself a green cotton thing with a red parakea handle when you were dressed in nothing larger than a handkerchief. There are no trees,

in the Luftwbad. It boasts a collection of plain, wooden cells, a bath shelter, two swings, and two odd clubs, one presumably the lost property of Hercules or the German army, and the other to be used with safety in the cradle. And there, in all we take the air, walking or sitting in little companies, talking over each other's ailments and measurements and ills that flesh is heir to. A high wooden wall compasses us all about. Above it the pine trees look down a little supercelliously, nudging each other in a way that is peculiarly trying to a debutante. Over the wall on the right side is the men's section. We hear them chopping down trees and sawing through planks, dashing heavy weights to the ground and singing part songs. Yes, they take it far more

seriously. On the first day I was conscious of my legs and went back into my cell three times to look at my watch, but when a woman with whom I had played chess for three weeks cut me dead, I took heart and joined a circle. We lay curled on the ground while a Hungarian lady of immense proportions told us what a beautiful tomb she had bought for her second husband. A vault it is, she cried, with nice black railings, and so large that I can go down there and walk about. Both their photographs are there, with two very handsome wreaths sent me by my first husband's brother.

There is an enlargement of a family group photograph too and an illuminated address presented to my first husband on his marriage. I am often there. It makes such a pleasant excursion for a fine Saturday afternoon. She suddenly lay down flat on her back, took in six long breaths and sat up again. The death agony was dreadful, she said brightly. Of the second, I mean.

The first was run into by a furniture wagon and had fifty marks stolen out of a new waistcoat pocket, but the second was dying for 67 hours. I never ceased crying once, not even to put the children to bed. The young Russian, with a bang curl on her forehead, turned to me. Can you do the Salome dance? she asked. I can. How delightful I said.

Shall I do it now? Would you like to see me? She spanked to her feet, executed a series of amazing contortions for the next ten minutes, and then paused, panting, twisting her long hair. Isn't that nice, she said. And now I am perspiring so splendidly. I shall go and take a bath. Opposite to me was the brownest woman I have ever seen, lying on her back, her arms clasped over her head. How long have you been here today? she was asked. Oh, I spend the day here now, she answered. I am making my own cure, and living entirely on raw vegetables and nuts, and each day I feel my spirit is stronger and purer. After all,

what can you expect? The majority of us are walking about with pig corpuscles and oxen fragments in our brain. The wonder is the world is as good as it is. Now I live on the simple provided food, she pointed to a little bag beside her. A lettuce, a carrot, a potato, and some nuts are ample, rational nourishment. I wash them under the tap and eat them raw, just as they come from the harmless earth, fresh and uncontaminated. Do you take nothing else all day, I cried. water, and perhaps a banana if I wake in the night. She turned round and leant on her elbow. You overeat yourself dreadfully, she said, shamelessly.

How can you expect the flame of the spirit to burn brightly under layers of superfluous flesh? I wished she would not stare at me and thought of going to look at my watch again when a little girl wearing a string of coral beads joined us. The poor frae hopman cannot. join us today, she said. She has come out in spots all over on account of her nerves. She was very excited yesterday after having written two postcards. A delicate woman volunteered the Hungarian, but pleasant. Fancy, she has a separate plate for each of her front teeth. But she has no right to let her daughters wear such short sailor suits. They sit about on

benches, crossing their legs in a most shameless manner. What are you going to do this after afternoon, Fralein Anna. Oh, said the coral necklace, the Herr Oberleintnant has asked me to go with him to Lundsdorf. He must buy some eggs there to take home to his mother. He saves a penny on eight eggs by knowing the right peasants to bargain with. Are you an American, said the vegetable lady, turning to me? No. Then you are an Englishwoman? Well, hardly. You must be one of the two. You cannot help it. I have seen you walking alone several times. You were your... I got up and climbed onto the swing.

The air was sweet and cool, rushing past my body. Above, white clouds trailed delicately through the blue sky. From the pine forest streamed a wild perfume. The branches swayed together rhythmically, sonorously. I felt so light and free and happy, so childish. I wanted to poke my tongue out at the search. on the grass, who, drawing close together, were whispering meaningly.

Perhaps you do not know, cried a voice from one of the cells. To swing is very upsetting for the stomach. A friend of mine could keep nothing down for three weeks after exciting herself, so. I went to the bath shelter and was hosed. As I dressed, someone tapped on the wall. Do you know, said a voice, there is a man who lives in the Luftbad next door. He buries himself up to the armpits in mud and refuses to believe in the Trinity. The umbrellas are the saving grace of the Luftwbad.

Now when I go, I take my husband's stormgamp and sit in a corner hiding behind it. Not that I am in the least ashamed of my legs. End of the Luftbad. A birthday in Inner German Pension by Catherine Mansfield. This Libravox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan. A birthday. Andriaz Binza woke slowly. He turned over on the narrow bed and stretched himself, yawned, opening his mouth as widely as possible, and bringing his teeth together afterwards with a sharp click. The sound of that click fascinated him. He repeated it quickly several

times with a snapping movement of the jaws. What teeth, he thought. Sound as a every man jack of them. Never had one out, never had one stopped. That comes of no tomfoolery in eating, and a good regular brushing night and morning. He raised himself on his left elbow and waved his right arm over the side of the bed to feel for the chair where he put his watch and chain overnight. No chair was there. Of course he'd forgotten there wasn't a chair in this wretched spare room, had to put the confounded thing under his pillow. Half past eight, Sunday, Breakfast at nine. Time for the bath. His brain ticked to the watch. He sprang out of bed and went over to the window. The Venetian blind was broken, hung fan-shaped over the upper pane. That blind must be mended. I'll get the office boy to drop in and fix it on his way home tomorrow. He's a good hand at blinds. Give him tuppence and he'll do it as well as a carpenter. Anna could do it herself if she was all right. So would I for the matter of that, but I don't like to trust myself. on rickety step-ladders. He looked up at the sky. It shone strangely white, unflected with cloud.

He looked down at the row of garden strips and backyards. The fence of these gardens was built along the edge of a gully, spanned by an iron suspension bridge, and the people had a wretched habit of throwing their empty tins over the fence into the gully. Just like them, of course. Andrea started counting the tins and decided viciously to write a letter to the papers about it and sign it, sign it in full. The servant girl came out of their back door into the yard, carrying his boots. She threw one down on the ground, thrust her hand into the other and stared at it, sucking in her cheeks. Suddenly she bent forward, spat on the toecap and started polishing with a brush rooted out of her apron pocket. Slut of a girl! Heaven

knows what infectious disease may be breeding now in that boot! Anna must get rid of that girl! even if she has to do without one for a bit, as soon as she's up and about again. The way she chucked one boot down and then spat upon the other, she didn't care whose boot she'd got hold of. She had no false notions of the respect due to the master of the house. He turned away from the window and switched his bath towel from the washstand rail, sick at heart. I'm too sensitive for a man, that's what's the matter with me. Have been from the beginning, and will be to the end.

There was a gentle knock at the door and his mother came in. She closed the door after her and leant against it. Andreas noted that her cap was crooked and a long tail of hair hung over her shoulder. He went forward and kissed her. Good morning, mother. How's Anna? The old woman spoke quickly, clasping and unclasping her hands. Andreas, please go to Dr. Arep as soon as you are dressed. Why, he said, is she bad?

Fraal Binsa nodded, and Andreas, watching her, saw her face suddenly change. A fine network of wrinkles seemed to pull over it from under the skin surface. Sit down on the bed a moment, he said. Been up all night? Yes. No, I won't sit down. I must go back to her. Anna has been in pain all night.

She wouldn't have you disturbed before because she said you looked so run down yesterday. You told her you had caught a cold and been very worried. straightway Andreas felt he was being accused. Well, she made me tell her, worried it out of me. You know the way she does. Again, Frau Binser nodded. Oh yes, I know. She says, is your cold better?

And there's a warm undervest for you in the left-hand corner of the big drawer. Quite automatically, Andreas cleared his throat twice. Yes, he answered. Tell her my throat certainly feels looser. I suppose I'd better not. disturb her? No, and besides, time, Andreas. I'll be ready in five minutes. They went into the passage, as Frau Binzer opened the door of the front bedroom, a long wail came from the room. That shocked and terrified Andrius. He dashed into the bathroom, turned on both taps as far as they would go,

cleaned his teeth, and pared his nails while the water was running. Frightful business, frightful business, he heard himself whispering. And I can't understand it. It isn't as though it were her first. It's her third. Old chef, I told me yesterday. His wife simply dropped her fourth. Anna ought to have had a qualified nurse. Mother gives way to her. Mother spoils her. I wonder what she meant by saying I'd worried Anna yesterday. Nice remark to make to a husband at a time like this. Unstrung, I suppose, and my sensitiveness again. When he went into the kitchen for his boots, the servant girl was bent over the stove, cooking breakfast.

Breathing into that now, I suppose, thought Andreas, and was very short with the servant girl. She did not notice. She was full of terrified joy and importance in the goings-on upstairs. She felt she was learning the secrets of life with every breath she drew. Had laid the table that morning, saying, Boy, as she put down the first dish, girl, as she placed the second, and had worked out with the salt spoon to boy. For two pins I'd tell the master that to comfort him like, she decided, but the master gave her no opening.

Put an extra cup and saucer on the table, he said. The doctor may want some coffee. The doctor, sir? The servant girl whipped a spoon out of a pan and spilt two drops of grease on the stove. Shall I fry something extra? But the master had gone, slamming the door after him. He walked down the street. There was nobody about at all, dead and alive this place on a Sunday morning.

As he crossed the suspension bridge, a strong stench of phenol and decayed refuse streamed from the gully, and again Andreas began concocting a letter. He turned into the main road. The shutters were still up before the shops. Scraps of newspaper, hay and fruit skins strewed the pavement. The gutters were choked with the leavings of Saturday night. Two dogs sprawled in the middle of the road, scuffling and biting. Only the public house at the corner was open. A young barman slopped water over the doorstep. Vastidiously, his lips curling, Andreas picked his way through the water. Extraordinary how I am noticing things this morning. It's partly the effect of Sunday. I loat the Sunday when anna's tied by the leg and the children are away. On Sunday a man has

the right to expect his family. Everything he is filthy. The whole place might be down with a plague and will be, too, if this street's not swept away. I'd like to have a hand on the government ropes. He braced his shoulders. Now, for this doctor. Dr. Earp is at breakfast, the maid informed him. She showed him into the waiting room, a dark and musty place, with some ferns under a glass case by the window. He says he won't be a minute, please, sir, and there is a paper on the table. Unhealthy hole, thought Binza, walking over to the window and drumming his fingers on the glass fern shade. At breakfast, is he? That's the mistake I made, turning out early on an empty stomach. The milk cart rattled down the street, the driver standing at the back, cracking a whip.

He wore an immense geranium flour stuck in the lapel of his coat. Firm as a rock, he stood, bending back a little in the swaying cart. Undrius craned his neck to watch. To watch the wall, him all the way down the road, even after he had gone, listening for the sharp sound of those rattling cans. Hmm, not much wrong with him, he reflected. Wouldn't mind a taste of that life myself. Up early, work all over by eleven o'clock? Nothing to do but loaf about all day until milking time.

Which he knew was an exaggeration, but he wanted to pity himself. The maid opened the door and stood aside for Dr. Herb. Andrius wheeled round The two men shook hands Well, Binza said the doctor jovially brushing some crumbs from a pearl-coloured waistcoat Sun and air becoming importunate

Up went Binza's spirit with a bound Sun and air by Jove He was glad to have to deal with a man again And a sane fellow this Who came across this sort of thing every day of the week That's about the measure of it doctor He answered smiling and picking up his hat mother dragged me out of bed this morning with imperative orders to bring you along.

Gig will be round in a minute. Drive back with me, won't you? Extraordinary sultry day. You're as red as a beetroot already. Andreas affected to laugh. The doctor had one annoying habit. Imagineed he had the right to poke fun at everybody simply because he was a doctor. The man riddled with conceit, like all these professionals, Andreas decided. "'What sort of night did Frau Binza have?' asked the doctor. "'Ah, here's the gig. Tell me on the way up. Sit as near the middle as you can, will you, Binza? Your weight tilts it over a bit one side. That's the worst of you, successful businessmen.' "'Too stone heavier than I, he's a pound,' thought Andreas.

"'The man may be all right in his profession, but heaven preserve me. "'Off you go, my beauty.' Dr. Herb flicked the little brown mare. Did your wife get any sleep last night? No, I don't think she did, answered Andrea shortly. To tell you the truth, I'm not satisfied that she hasn't a nurse. Oh, your mother's worth a dozen nurses, cried the doctor with immense gusto. To tell you the truth, I'm not keen on nurses.

Too raw. Raw as rump steak. They wrestle for a baby as though they were wrestling with death for the body of Patroclus. Ever seen that picture by an English artist? late and wonderful thing, full of sinew. There he goes again, thought Andreas, airing off his knowledge to make a fool of me. Now, your mother, she's firm, she's capable, does what she's told with a fund of sympathy. Look at these shops we're passing, they're festering sores, how on earth this government could tolerate. They're not so bad, sound enough, only want a coat of paint.

The doctor whisked a little tune and flicked them air. again. Well, I hope the young shaver won't give his mother too much trouble, he said. Here we are. A skinny little boy who'd been sliding up and down the back seat of the gig, sprang out and held the horse's head. Undrius went straight into the dining room and left the servant girl to take the doctor upstairs. He sat down, poured out some coffee, and bid through half a roll before helping himself to fish. Then he noticed there was no hot plate for the fish. The whole house was at sixes and sevens. He rang the bell, but the servant girl came in with a tray

holding a bowl of soup and a hot plate. I've been keeping them on the stove, she simpered. Ah, thanks, very kind of you. As he swallowed the soup, his heart warmed for this fool of a girl. Oh, it's a good thing Dr. Earp has come, volunteered the servant girl, who was bursting for want of sympathy. Hmm, hmm, said Andrios. She waited a moment, he said.

expectantly, rolling her eyes. Then, in full loathing of mankind, went back to the kitchen and vowed herself to sterility. Undrius cleared the soup bowl and cleared the fish. As he ate, the room slowly darkened. A faint wind sprang up and beat the tree branches against the window. The dining room looked over the breakwater of the harbour and the sea swung heavily in rolling waves. Wind crept round the house, moaning drearily. Wherein for a sudden, storm. That means I'm boxed up here all day. Well, there's one blessing that'll clear the air. He heard the servant girl rushing importantly round the house, slamming windows. Then he caught a glimpse of her in the garden, unpegging tea tiles from the line across the lawn. She was a worker,

there was no doubt about that. He took up a book and wheeled his armchair over to the window. But it was useless, too dark to read. He didn't believe in straining his eyes and gas at ten o'clock in the morning seemed absurd, so he slipped down in the chair, leant his elbow on the padded arms, and gave himself up for once to idle dreaming. A boy. Yes, it was bound to be a boy this time. What's your family, Binza? Oh, I've two girls and a boy. A very nice little number. Of course he was the last man to have a favourite child, but a man needed a son. I'm working up the business for my son, Binza and son. It would mean to be he would mean. living very tight for the next ten years, cutting expenses as fine as possible, and then

a tremendous gust of wind sprang upon the house, seized it, shook it, dropped, only to grip the more tightly. The waves swelled up along the breakwater and were whipped with broken foam. Over the white sky flew tattered streamers of grey cloud. Andrias felt quite relieved to hear Dr. Earp coming down the stairs. He got up and lit the gas. "'Mind if I smoke in here?' asked Dr. Erb, lighting a cigarette before Andreas had time to answer. "'You don't smoke, do you? No time to indulge in pernicious little habits.' "'How is she now?' asked Andreas, loathing the man. "'Oh, well as can be expected, poor little soul. She begged me to come down and have a look at you.

She said she knew you were worrying.' With laughing eyes the doctor looked at the breakfast table. Managed to peck a bit, I see, eh? Who-wee! shouted the wind, shaking the window sashes. Biddy this weather, said Dr. Erb. Yes, it gets on Anna's nerves, and it's just nerve she wants. Eh? What's that? retorted the doctor. Nerve? Man alive! She's got twice the nerve of you and me rolled into one.

Nerve, she's nothing but nerve. A woman who works as she does about the house and has three children in four years thrown in with a dusting, so to speak? He pitched his half-smoked cigarette into the fireplace and frowned at the window. Now he's accusing me, thought Andreas. That's the second time this morning, first mother, and now this man taking advantage of my sensitiveness. He could not trust himself to speak and rang the bell for the servant girl. Clear away the breakfast things he ordered. I can't have them messing about on the table till dinner. Don't be hard on the girl, coaxed Dr. Er. "'She's got twice the work to do today.'

"'At that, Binza's anger blazed out. "'I'll trouble you, Doctor, not to interfere between me and my servants.' "'And he felt a fool at the same moment for not saying servant.' "'Dr. Erp was not perturbed. "'He shook his head, thrust his hands into his pockets, "'and began balancing himself on toe and heel. "'You're jagged by the weather,' he said Riley. "'Nothing else.

"'A great pity this storm. You know climate has an immense effect upon birth. A fine day perks a woman, gives her heart for a business. Good weather is as necessary to a confinement as it is to a washing day. Not bad, that last remark of mine for a professional fossil, eh? Andreas made no reply. Well, I'll be getting back to my patient. Why don't you take a walk and clear your head?

That's the idea for you. No, he answered. I won't do that. It's too rough. He went back to his chair by the window. While the servant girl cleared away, he pretended to read. Then his dreams. It seemed years since he had had time to himself to dream like that.

He never had a breathing space. Settled with work all day and couldn't shake it off in the evening like other men. Besides, Anna was interested. They talked of practically nothing else together. Excellent mother she'd make for a boy. She had a grip of things. Church bells started ringing through the windy air, now sounding as though from very far away, then again as though all the churches in the town had been suddenly transplanted into their street.

They stirred something in him, those bells, something vague and tender. Just about that time Anna would call him from the hall. Andreas, come and have your coat brushed, I'm ready. Enough they would go, she hanging on his arm and looking up at him. She certainly was a little thing. He remembered one saying when they were engaged, just as high as my heart, and she had jumped onto a stool and pulled his head down, laughing.

A kid in those days, younger than her children in nature, brighter, more go and spirit in her. The way she'd run down the road to meet him after business, and the way she laughed when they were looking for a house, by Joe, that laugh of hers. At the memory he grinned, then grew suddenly grave. Marriage certainly changed a woman, far more than it did a man. Talk about sobering down.

She had lost all her go in two months. Well, once this boy business was over, she'd get stronger. He began to plan a little trip for them. He'd take her away and they'd loaf about together somewhere. After all, dash it, they were young still. She'd got into a groove. He'd have to force her out of it, that's all. He got up and went into the drawing room.

carefully shut the door and took Anna's photograph from the top of the piano. She wore a white dress with a big bow of some soft stuff under the chin, and stood a little stiffly, holding a sheaf of artificial poppies and corn in her hands. Delicate she looked even then, her masses of hair gave her that look. She seemed to droop under the heavy braids of it, and yet she was smiling. Andreas caught his breath sharply. She was his wife, that girl. Bosch, it had only been taken four years ago.

He held it close to him, bent forward and kissed it, then rubbed the glass with the back of his hand. At that moment, fainter than he had heard in the passage, more terrifying, Andreas heard again that wailing cry. The wind caught it up in mocking echo, blew it over the house-tops, down the street, far away from him. He flung out his arms. I'm so damnably helpless, he said.

And then, to the picture. Perhaps it's not as bad as it sounds. Perhaps it's just my sensitiveness. In the half-light of the drawing-room, the smile seemed to deepen in Anna's portrait and to become secret, even cruel. No, he reflected, that smile is not at all her happiest expression.

It was a mistake to let her have it taken smiling like that. She doesn't look like my wife, like the mother of my son. Yes, that was it. She did not look like the mother of a son who was going to be a partner in the firm. The picture got on his nerves. He held it in different lights, looked at it from a distance, sideways. Spent, it seemed to Andreas afterwards, a whole lifetime trying to fit it in.

The more he played with it, the deeper grew his dislike of it. Thrice he carried it over to the fireplace and decided to chuck it behind the Japanese umbrella in the grate. Then he thought it absurd to waste an expensive frame. There was no good in beating about the bush, and it looked like a stranger, abnormal, a freak. It might be a picture taken just before or after death. Suddenly he realised that the wind had dropped, that the whole house was still, terribly still. Cold and pale with a disgusting feeling that spiders were creeping up his spine and across his face, he stood in the centre of the drawing-room, hearing Dr Herb's footsteps descending the stairs.

He saw Dr. Earp come into the room. The room seemed to change into a great glass bowl that spun round, and Dr. Earp seemed to swim through this glass bowl towards him, like a goldfish in a pearl-coloured waistcoat. My beloved wife has passed away. He wanted to shout it out before the doctor spoke. Well, she's hooked a boy this time, said Dr. Earp. Andrea staggered forward.

Look out, keep on your pins, said Dr. catching Binz's arm and murmuring as he felt it flabby as butter. A glow spread all over, Andreas. He was exultant. Well, by God, nobody can accuse me of not knowing what suffering is, he said. End of a birthday. The Child Who Was Tired, an inner German Ponsion by Catherine Mansfield. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter D.

Dan, the child who was tired. She was just beginning to walk along a little white road with tall black trees on either side, a little road that led to nowhere, and where nobody walked at all, when a hand gripped her shoulder, shook her, slapped her ear. Oh, don't stop me, cried the child who was tired. Let me go. Get up, you good-for-nothing, said a voice. Get up and light the oven, or I'll shake every bone out of your body. With an immense effort she opened her eyes

and saw the frow standing by the baby bundled under one arm. The three other children who shared the same bed with the child who was tired, accustomed to brawls, slept on peacefully. In a corner of the room the man was fastening his braces. What do you mean by sleeping like this, the whole night through, like a sack of potatoes, you've let the baby wet his bed twice? She did not answer, but tied her petticoat, and buttoned on her plaid frock with cold shaking fingers.

There, that's enough. Take the baby into the kitchen with you, and heat that cold coffee on the spirit lamp for the master, and give him the loaf of black bread out of the table drawer. Don't guzzle it yourself or I'll know. The frowl staggered across the room, flung herself onto her bed, drawing the pink bolster round her shoulders.

It was almost dark in the kitchen. She laid the baby on the wood and settle, covering him with a shawl, then poured the coffee from the earthen way jug into the saucepan and set it on the spirit lamp to boil. I'm sleepy, nodded the child who was tired, kneeling on the floor and splitting the damp pine logs into little chips. That's why I'm not awake. The oven took a long time to light. Perhaps it was cold like herself and sleepy. Perhaps it had been dreaming of a little white road with black trees on either side, a little road that led to nowhere. Then the door was pulled violently open and

the man strode in. Here, what are you doing sitting on the floor? He shouted, give me my coffee, I've got to be off. Oh, you haven't even washed over the table. She sprang to her feet, poured his coffee into an enamel cup and gave him bread and a knife, then, taking a washrag from the sink, smeared over the black linoleum table. Swine. Swine. Swine. of a day. Swine's life, mumbled the man, sitting by the table and staring out of the window at the bruised sky, which seemed to bulge heavily over the dull land. He stuffed his mouth with bread, and then swirled it down with a coffee. The child drew a pail of water, turned up her sleeves, frowning the while at her arms, as if to scold them for being so thin, so much like little

stunted twigs, and began to mop over the floor. Stop sousing about the water while I'm here, grumbled the man. Stop the baby sniveling. It's been going on like that all night. The child gathered the baby into her lap and sat rocking him. She said, he's cutting his eye teeth, that's what makes him cry so, and dribble. I've never seen a baby dribble like this one. She wiped his mouth and nose with a corner of her skirt. Some babies get their teeth without you knowing it, she went,

on, and some take on this way all the time. I once heard of a baby that died, and they found out its teeth in its stomach. The man got up, unhooked his cloak from the back of the door, and flung it round him. There's another coming, said he.

What, a tooth, exclaimed the child, startled for the first time that morning out of her dreadful heaviness, and thrusting her finger into the baby's mouth. No, he said grimly, another baby. Now get on with your work. It's time the others got up for school. She stood a moment quite silently,

hearing his heavy steps on the stone passage, then the gravel walk, and finally the slam of the front gate. Another baby. Hasn't she finished having them yet? thought the child. Two babies getting eye teeth, two babies to get up for in the night. Two babies to carry about and wash their little piggy clothes. She looked with horror at the one in her eyes. She looked with horror at the one in her arms, who, seeming to understand the contemptuous loathing of her tired glance, doubled his fists, stiffened his body, and began violently screaming. She laid him on the settle and went back to her floor-washing. He never ceased crying for a moment, but she got quite used to it and kept time with her broom.

Oh, how tired she was! Oh, the heavy broom-handle and the burning spot just at the back of her neck that ate so, and a funny little fluttering feeling. just at the back of her waistband, as though something were going to break. The clock struck six. She set the pan of milk in the oven and went into the next room to wake and rest the three children. Anton and Hans lay together in attitudes of mutual amity, which certainly never existed out of their sleeping hours. Lena was curled up, her knees under her chin,

only a straight standing-up pigtail of hair showing above the bolster. "'Get up!' cried the child, speaking in a voice of immense authority, pulling off the bedclothes and giving the boys sundry pokes and digs. "'I've been calling you this last half hour. It's late, and I'll tell on you if you don't get dressed this minute.' Anton awoke sufficiently to turn over and kick Hunts on a tender part, whereupon Hans pulled Lena's pigtail until she shrieked for her mother. "'I'll do be quiet,' whispered the child. "'I'll do get up and dress.

what will happen. There, I'll help you. But the warning came too late. The frow got out of bed, walked in a determined fashion into the kitchen, returning with a bundle of twigs in her hand, fastened together with a strong cord. One by one she laid the children across her knee and severely beat them, expending a final burst of energy on the child who was tired, then returned to bed with a comfortable sense of her maternal duties in good working order for the day. Very subdued, the three allowed themselves to be dressed and washed by the child, who even laced the boy's boots, having found through experience that if left to themselves they hopped about for at least five minutes to find a comfortable ledge for their foot and then spat on their

hands and broke the boot laces. While she gave them their breakfast, they became uproarious and the baby would not cease crying. When she filled her, she felt her. the tin kettle with milk, tied on the rubber teeth, and, first moistening at herself, tried with little coaxing words to make him drink, he threw the bottle onto the floor and trembled all over. "'Aye teeth!' shouted Hans, hitting Anton over the head with his empty cup. "'He's getting the evil eye-teeth, I should say.' "'Smarty,' retorted Lena, poking out her tongue at him, and then, when he promptly did

the same, crying at the top of her voice, "'Mother, Hans is making faces at me.' me. That's right, said Hans. Go on howling, and when you're in bed tonight I'll wait till you're asleep, but then I'll creep over and take a tiny little piece of your arm and twist and twist until he leant over the table, making the most horrible faces at Lena, not noticing that Anton was standing behind his chair until the little boy bent over and spat on his brother's shaven head. Oh way, how way! The child who was tired, pushed and pulled. them apart, muffled them into their coats, and drove them out of the house. Hurry, hurry, hurry, the second bells rung, she urged, knowing perfectly well she was telling a story

and rather exulting in the fact. She washed up the breakfast things, then went down to the cellar to look out the potatoes and beetroot. Such a funny, cold place, the coal cellar. With potatoes banked in one corner, beetroot in an old candle-box, two tubs of zowlkraut and a twisted mass of dahlia-roots, that looked as real as though they were fighting one another, thought the child. She gathered the potatoes into her skirt, choosing big ones with few eyes because they were easier to peel, and bending over the dull heap in the silent cellar, she began to nod. "'Here, what are you doing down there?' cried the frowl from the top of the stairs. "'The baby's fallen off the settle and got to bump as big as an egg.

over his eye. Come up here and I'll teach you. It wasn't me, it wasn't me, screamed the child, beaten from one side of the hall to the other, so that the potatoes and beetroot rolled out of her skirt. The frow seemed as big as a giant, and there was a certain heaviness in all her movements that was terrifying to anyone so small. Sit in the corner and peel and wash the vegetables, and keep the baby quiet while I do the washing. Wimpering, she obeyed, but as to keep the baby quiet. That was impossible. His face was hot, little beads of sweat stood all over his head and he stiffened his body and cried. She held him on her knees with a pan of cold water beside her for the cleaned vegetables and the ducks bucket for the peelings.

She crooned, scraping and boring. There's going to be another soon and you can't both keep on crying. Why don't you go to sleep, baby? I would if I were you. I'll tell you a dream. Once upon a time there was a little white road. She shook back her head, a great lump ached in her throat, and then the tears ran down her face onto the vegetables. That's no good, said the child, shaking them away. Just stop crying till I finish this baby, and I'll walk you up and down. But by that time she had to peg out the washing for the frow. A wind had sprung up, standing on tiptoe in the yard, she almost faced. she would be blown away.

There was a bad smell coming from the duck scoop, which was half full of manure water. But away in the meadow, she saw the grass blowing like little green hairs. And she remembered having heard of a child who had once played for a whole day in just such a meadow, with real sausages and beer for her dinner and not a little bit of tiredness.

Who told her that story? She could not remember, and yet it was so plain. The wet clothes flapped in her face. as she pegged them, danced and jigged on the line, bulged out and twisted. She walked back to the house with lagging steps, looking longingly at the grass in the mirror. What must I do now, please, she said. Make the beds and hang the baby's mattress out of the window, then get the wagon and take him for a little walk along the road. In front of the house, mind, where I can see you, don't stand there gaping. Then come in when I call you and help me cut up the salad. When she had

made the beds the child stood and looked at them. Gently she stroked the pillows in her hand, and then, just for one moment, let her head rest there. Again, the smarting lump in her throat, the stupid tears that fell and kept on falling as she dressed the baby and dragged the little wagon up and down the road. A man passed driving a bullock wagon. He wore a long queer feather in his hat and whistled as he passed.

Two girls with bundles on their shoulders came warm. out of the village. One wore a red handkerchief about her head and one a blue. They were laughing and holding each other by the hand. Then the sun pushed by a heavy fold of grey cloud and spread a warm yellow light over everything. Perhaps thought the child who was tired, if I walked far enough up this road, I might come to a little white one with tall black trees on either side, a little road. Salad! Salad! cried the frow's voice from the house. Soon the children came home from school. Dinner was eaten. The man took the frow's share of pudding as well as his own, and the three children seemed to smear themselves all over with whatever they ate. Then more dishwashing and more cleaning and baby-minding. So the afternoon dragged coldly through. Old Frou Gratwald came in with a fresh piece of pig's flesh for the frow, and the child listened to them gossiping together.

"'Fra Amanda went on her journey to Rome last night and brought back a daughter. "'How are you feeling?' "'I was sick twice this morning,' said the frow. "'My insides are all twisted up with having children too quickly.' "'I see you've got a new help,' commented old Mother Gratwold. "'Oh, dear Lord,' the froward lowered her voice. "'Don't you know her? "'She's the free-born one, daughter of the waitress at the railway station.

"'They found her mother trying to squeeze her head in the wash-hand jug, and the child's half silly, whispered the freeborn one to the baby. As the child drew in, the child who was tired did not know how to fight her sleepiness any longer. She was afraid to sit down or sit still. As she sat at supper, the man and the frow seemed to swell to an immense size as she watched them and then become smaller than dolls, with little voices that seemed to come from outside the window. Looking at the baby, it suddenly had two heads. and then no head. Even his crying made her feel worse. When she thought of the nearness of bedtime she shook all over with excited joy. But as eight o'clock approached there was a

sound of wheels on the road and presently in came a party of friends to spend the evening. Then it was put on the coffee, bring me the sugar tin, carry the chairs out of the bedroom, set the table. And finally the frow sent her in the next room to keep the baby. quiet. There was a little piece of candle burning in the enamel bracket. As she walked up and down, she saw her great big shadow on the wall like a grown-up person with a grown-up baby. Whatever would it look like when she carried two babies, so. Once upon a time she was walking along a little white road with, oh, such great big black trees on either side. Here you, cried the frowse voice, bring me my new jacket from behind the door. And as she

took it into the warm room, one of the women said, She looks like an owl. Such children are seldom right in their heads. Why don't you keep that baby quiet? said the man, who had just drunk enough beer to make him feel very brave and master of his house. If you don't keep that baby quiet, you'll know why later on. They burst out laughing as she stumbled back into the bedroom. I don't believe Holy Mary could keep him quiet, she murmured. Did Jesus cry like this when he was little?

If I was not so tired, perhaps I could do it, but the baby just knows that I want to go to sleep, and there's going to be another one. She flung the baby on the bed and stood looking at him with terror. For the next room there came the jingle of glasses and the warm sound of laughter, and she suddenly had a beautiful, marvellous idea. She laughed for the first time that day and clapped her hands.

She said, Lie there, silly one. You will go to sleep. You'll not cry any more, or wake up in the night. Funny little, ugly baby. He opened his eyes and shrieked loudly at the sight of the child who was tired.

From the next room she heard the frow call out to her, One moment, he's almost to sleep, she cried. And then, gently, smiling on tiptoe, she brought the pink bolster from the frow's bed. and covered the baby's face with it, pressed with all her might as he struggled, like a duck with its head off wriggling, she thought. She heaved a long sigh,

then fell back onto the floor, and was walking along a little white road with tall black trees on either side, a little road that led to nowhere and where nobody walked at all. Nobody at all. End of, the child who was tired. The advanced lady.

in Inner German Ponsion by Catherine Mansfield. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan, The Advanced Lady. Do you think we might ask her to come with us? said Frulein Elsa, retrying her pink sash ribbon before my mirror. You know, although she is so intellectual, I cannot help feeling convinced that she has some secret sorrow. And Lisa told me this morning, as she was turning out my room,

that she remains ours and ours by herself writing. In fact, Lisa says she is writing a book. I suppose that is why she never cares to mingle with us and has so little time for her husband and the child. Well, you ask her, said I. I have never spoken to the lady. Elsa blushed faintly. I have only spoken to her once, she confessed.

I took her a bunch of wildflowers to her room, and she came to the door in a white gown with her hair loose. Never shall I forget that moment. She just took the flowers, and I heard her, because the door was not quite properly shut, I heard her as I walked down the passage saying, purity, fragrance, the fragrance of purity, and the purity of fragrance.

It was wonderful. At that moment, Frakeleman knocked at the door. Are you ready, she said, coming into the room and nodding to us very genially? The gentlemen are waiting on the steps, and I have asked the advanced lady to come with us. Now, how extraordinary, cried Elsa. But this moment the Gennedie Gefrow and I were debating whether, yes, I met her coming out of her room and she said she was charmed with the

idea. Like all of us, she has never been to schlingen. She is downstairs now talking to Herr Eckhart. I think we shall have a delightful afternoon. Is Fritzie waiting too? asked Elsa. Of course he is, dear child, as impatient as a hungry man listening for the "'Run along!' "'Eltsa ran, and Fra Callum, and smiled at me significantly. "'In the past she and I had seldom spoken to each other, "'owing to the fact that her one remaining joy, her charming little cow, "'had never succeeded in kindling into flame those sparks of maternity

"'which are supposed to glow in great numbers upon the altar "'of every respectable female heart. "'But in view of a premeditated journey together, we became delightfully cordial. Vars, she said, there will be a double joy. We should be able to watch the happiness of these two dear children, Elsa and Fritz.

They only received the letters of blessing from their parents yesterday morning. It is a very strange thing, but whenever I am in the company of newly engaged couples, I blossom. Newly engaged couples, mothers with first babies

and normal deathbeds have precisely the same effect on me. Shall we join the others?' I was longing to ask her why normal deathbed should cause anyone to burst into flower, and said, yes, do letters. We were greeted by the little party of cure guests on the Pension steps, with those cries of joy and excitement which herald so pleasantly the mildest German excursion. Herr E Urquhart and I had not met before that day,

so, in accordance with strict Pension custom, we asked each other how long we had slept during the night, night, had we dreamed agreeably, what time we had got up? Was the coffee fresh when we had appeared at breakfast, and how had we passed the morning? Having toiled up the stairs of almost national politeness, we landed, triumphant and smiling, and paused to recover breath. And now, said Herr Ercart, I have the pleasure in store for you. The frau professor is to be one of us for the afternoon. Yes, nodding graciously to the advance. "'A advanced, lady. Allow me to introduce you to each other.'

"'We bowed very formally and looked each other over with that eye which is known as eagle, but is far more the property of the female than that most unoffending of birds. "'I think you are English,' she said. "'I acknowledge the fact. "'I am reading a great many English books just now. "'Rather, I am studying them.' "'No,' cried Herr Eckart. "'Fancy that!

"'What a bond already!' I have made up my mind to know Shakespeare in his mother tongue before I die, but that you, frau, professor, should be already immersed in those wells of English thought. From what I have read, she said, I do not think they are very deep wells. He nodded sympathetically. No, he answered, so I have heard, but do not let us embitter our excursion for our little English friend. We will speak of this another time. "'No, are we ready?' cried Fritz, who stood supporting Elsa's elbow in his hand at the foot of the steps.

It was immediately discovered that Carl was lost. "'Carl! Carlchen!' we cried. No response. But he was here one moment ago, said Herr Langen, a tired, pale youth, who was recovering from a nervous breakdown due to much philosophy and little nourishment. He was sitting here, picking out the works of his work. watch with a hairpin. Frau Kellerman, rounded on him,

do you mean to say, my dear Herr Langan, you did not stop the child? No, said Hare Langen, I've tried stopping him before now. Dah, that child has such energy, never is his brain at peace. If he is not doing one thing, he is doing another. Perhaps he has started on the dining-room clock now,

suggested Hare Langen, abominably hopeful. The advanced ladies suggested that we should go without him. "'I never take my little daughter for walk,' she said. "'I have accustomed her to sitting quietly in my bedroom "'from the time I go out until I return.' "'There he is, there he is,' piped Elsa, "'and Carl was observed slithering down a chestnut tree, "'very much the worse for twigs.

"'I've been listening to what you said about me, Mama,' "'he confessed while Frau Kellerman brushed him down. "'It was not true about the watch. "'I was only looking at it, "'and the little girl never stays in the bedroom She told me herself she always goes down to the kitchen and, da, that's enough, said Frau Callerman. We marched on Mass along the station road.

It was a very warm afternoon and continuous parties of cure guests who were giving their digestions a quiet airing in Pontchon gardens called after us, asked if we were going for a walk and cried, Herr God, happy journey, with immense ill-concealed relish when we mentioned Schlingen. But that is eight kilometres.

"'Sighted,' shouted one old man with a white beard, "'who leant against a fence, fanning himself with the yellow handkerchief. "'Seven and a half,' answered Herr Erkart, shortly. "'Eight,' bellowed the sage. "'Seven and a half! Eight!' "'That man is mad,' said Herr Erichard. "'Well, please let him be mad in peace,' said I, "'putting my hand over my ears.

"'Such ignorance must not be allowed to go uncontradicted,' said he, and turning his back on us too exhausted to cry out any longer, he held up seven and a half fingers. "'Aight!' thundered the grey beard, with pristine freshness. We felt very sobered and did not recover until we reached a white sign-post, which entreated us to leave the road and walk through the field path without trampling down more of the grass than was necessary. Being interpreted, it meant single file, which was distressing for Eissa and Fritz.

Carl, like a happy child, gambled ahead and cut down as many flowers as possible with the stick of his mother's parasol, followed the three others, then myself and the lovers in the rear. And above the conversation of the advance party, I had the privilege of hearing these delicious whispers. Fritz, do you love me? Elsa. No, yes, Fritz passionately. But how much? to which Elsa never replied except with How much do you love me?

Fritz escaped that truly Christian trap by saying I asked you first. It grew so confusing that I slipped in front of Frouac Ellerman and walked in the peaceful knowledge that she was blossoming and I was under no obligation to inform even my nearest and dearest as to the precise capacity of my affections. What right have they to ask each other such questions the day after letters of blessing have been received, are reflected.

What right have they even to question each other? Love, which becomes engaged and married, is a purely affirmative affair. They are usurping the privileges of their betters and wises. The edges of the field frilled over into an immense pine forest, very pleasant and cool it looked. Another signpost begged us to keep to the broad path for Schlingen and deposit waste paper and fruit peelings in wire receptacles attached to the benches for the purpose. We sat down on the first bench,

and Carl, with great curiosity, explored the wire receptacle. I love woods, said the advanced lady, smiling pitifully into the air. In a wood, my hair already seems to stir and remember something of its savage origin. But speaking literally, said Frau Kellerman, after an appreciative pause. There is really nothing better than the air of pine trees for the scalp. Oh, Frau Kellerman, please don't break the spell, said Elsa. The advanced lady looked at her very sympathetically. Have you too found the magic heart of nature, she said. That was Herr Langan's cue.

Nature has no heart, said he, very bitterly and readily, as people do who are over-philosophized and underfed. She creates that she may destroy She eats that she may spew up And she spews up that she may eat That is why we who are forced to eke out an existence At her trampling feet Consider the world mad

And realise the deadly vulgarity of production Young man interrupted her, Aircart You have never lived and you have never suffered Oh excuse me, how can you know I know because you have told me and there's an end of it. Come back to this bench in ten years' time and repeat those words to me, said Frau Kellerman,

with an eye upon Fritz, who was engaged in counting Elsa's fingers with passionate fervour, and bring with you your young wife, Herr Langen, and watch perhaps your little child playing with a... She turned towards Carl, who had rooted an old illustrated paper out of the receptacle, and was spelling over an advertisement

for the enlargement of beautiful breasts. The sentence remained unfinished. We decided to move on. As we plunged more deeply into the woods, our spirits rose, reaching a point where they burst into song on the part of the three men. Oh well, we best of one's a bar.

The lower part of which was piercingly sustained by Herr Langen, who attempted quite unsuccessfully to infuse satire into it in accordance with his world outlook. They strode ahead and left us to trail after them, hot and happy. "'Now is the opportunity,' said Frau Kellerman. "'Dear Frau, Professor, do tell us a little about your book.' "'Ah, how did you know I was writing one?' she cried playfully.

"'Elsa here had it from Lisa, and never before have I personally known a woman who was writing a book. "'How do you manage to find enough to write down?' "'That is never the trouble,' said the advanced lady. "'She took Elsa's arm and leant on it gently. "'The trouble is to know what. to stop. My brain has been a hive for years, and about three months ago the pent-up waters burst over my soul, and since then I am writing all day until late into the night, still ever finding fresh inspirations and thoughts which beat impatient wings about my heart.

Is it a novel? asked Elsa, shyly. Of course it is a novel, said I. How can you be so positive, said Frau Kellerman, eyeing me severely. Because nothing but a novel could produce an effect like that. Ah, don't quarrel, said the advanced lady sweetly. Yes, it is a novel, upon the modern woman. For this seems to me the woman's hour. It is mysterious and almost prophetic. It is the symbol of the true advanced woman,

not one of those violent creatures who deny their sex and smother their frail wings under, and the English tailor-maid from Frau Kellerman. I was not going to put it like that, rather under the lying garb of false masculinity. Such a subtle distinction, I murmured. "'Whom then?' asked Frauleine Elsa, looking adoringly at the advanced lady. "'Whom then do you consider the true woman?' "'She is the incarnation of comprehending love.'

"'But, my dear Frau Professor,' protested Frau Kellerman, you must remember that one has so few opportunities for exhibiting love within the family circle nowadays. One's husband is at business all day and naturally desires to sleep when he returns home. Once children are out of the lap and in at the university before one can lavish anything at all upon them. But love is not a question of lavishing, said the advanced lady. It is the lamp carried in the bosom, touching with serene rays all the high, lights and depths of darkest Africa, I murmured flippantly. She did not hear. The mistake we have made in the past as a sex, said she, is in not realizing that our gifts of

giving are for the whole world, we are the glad sacrifice of ourselves. Oh, cried Elsa, rapturously, and almost bursting into gifts as she breathed. How I know that. You know ever since Fritz and I have been engaged, I share the desire to give to everybody, to share everything. How extremely dangerous, said I. It is only the beauty of danger, or the danger of beauty, said the advanced lady, and there you have the ideal of my book, that woman is nothing but a gift. I smiled at her very sweetly. Do you know, I said, I too would like to write a book on the advisability of caring for daughters

and taking them for earrings and keeping them out of kitchens. I think the masculine element must have felt these angry vibrations. They ceased from singing, and together we climbed out of the wood to see Schlingen below us, tucked in a circle of hills, the white houses shining in the sunlight, for all the world like eggs in a bird's nest, as Hare Air Cart declared. We descended upon Schlingen and demanded sour milk with fresh cream and bread at the inn of the golden stag, a most friendly place, with tables in a rose garden where hens and chickens ran riot, even flopping upon the disused tables and pecking at the red cheques on the cloths.

We broke the bread into the bowls, added the cream, and stirred it round with flat wooden spoons, the landlord and his wife standing by. Splandered weather, said Herr Ayrkart, waving his spoon at the landlord, who shrugged his shoulders. "'What? You don't call it splendid?' "'As you please,' said the landlord, obviously scorning us. "'Such a beautiful walk,' said Freulein Elsa, "'making a free gift of her most charming smile to the landlady. "'I never walk,' said the landlady.

"'When I go to Mindelbao, my man drives me. "'I have more important things to do with my legs "'than walk them through the dust.' "'I like these people,' confessed Herr Langen to me. I like them very, very much. I think I shall take a room here for the whole summer. Why? Oh, because they live close to the earth and therefore despise it.

He pushed away his bowl of sour milk and lit a cigarette. We ate solidly and seriously, until those seven and a half kilometres to Mendelbaal stretched before us like an eternity. Even Carl's activity became so full fed that he lay on the ground and removed his leather waist belt. Elsa suddenly leant over to Fritz and whispered, who on hearing her to the end and asking her if she loved him, got up and made a little speech.

We wish to celebrate our betrothal by asking you all to drive back with us in the landlord's cart, if it were holders. Oh, what a beautiful noble idea, said Frow Callerman, heaving a sigh of relief that audibly burst two hooks. "'It is my little gift,' said Elsa, "'to the advanced lady, "'who by virtue of three portions,

"'almost wept tears of gratitude. "'Squised into the peasant cart, "'and driven by the landlord, "'who showed his contempt for Mother Earth "'by spitting savagely every now and again, "'we jolted home, "'and the nearer we came to Mindelbaugh, "'the more we loved it, and one another.

"'We must have many excursions like this,' "'said Herr Echard to me, "'for one surely gets to know a person in the simple surroundings of the open air. One shares the same joys, one feels friendship. What is it your Shakespeare says? One moment, I've read it. The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,

grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel. But, said I, feeling very friendly towards him, the bother about my soul is that it refuses to grapple anybody at all, and I am sure that the dead weight of a friend whose adoption it had tried would kill it immediately. Never yet has had shown the slightest sign of a hoop. He bumped against my knees and excused himself and the cart. My dear little lady, you must not take the quotation literally. Naturally, one is not physically conscious of the hoops, but hoops there are in the soul of him

and her who loves his fellow men. Take this afternoon, for instance. How did we start out? As strange as you might almost say, and yet all of us, How have we come home?' "'In a cart,' said the only remaining joy, who sat upon his mother's lap and felt sick. We skirted the field that we had passed through, going round by the cemetery. Erlangen leaned over the edge of the seat and greeted the graves.

He was sitting next to the advanced lady, inside the shelter of her shoulder. I heard her murmur. He looked like a little boy with your hair blowing about in the wind. "'Hair Langen, slightly less bitter, "'watched the last graves disappear. "'And I heard her murmur, "'Why are you so sad?

"'I too am very sad sometimes, "'but you look young enough "'for me to dare to say this. "'I too know of much joy.' "'What do you know?' said he. "'I lint over and touched the advanced lady's hand. "'Hasn't it been a nice afternoon,' I said questioningly. But, you know, that theory of yours about women and love, it's as old as the hills.

Ah, older! From the road a sudden shout of triumph. Yes, there he was again. White beard, silk handkerchief, and undaunted enthusiasm. What did I say? Eight kilometers, it is. Seven and a half, shrieked hair. Eckhart.

Why then do you return in carts? Eight kilometers, it must be. here heiard made a cup of his hands and stood up in the jolting cart while frake keleman clung to his knees seven and a half ignorance must not go uncontradicted i said to the advanced lady end of the advanced lady the swing of the pendulum in inner german pension by katherine mansfield this librivox recording is in the public domain read by peter dan The swing of the pendulum. The landlady knocked at the door. Come in, said Viola. There is a letter for you, said the landlady.

A special letter. She held the green envelope in a corner of her dingy apron. Thanks. Viola, kneeling on the floor, poking at the little dusty stove, stretched out her hand. Any answer? No, the messenger is gone. Oh, all right. She did not look the landlady in the face.

She was ashamed of not having paid her rent and wondered grimly, without any hope, if the woman would begin to bluster again. About this money owing to me, said the landlady. Oh, the lord, off she goes, thought Viola, turning her back on the woman and making a grimace at the stove. It's settled or it's go. The landlady raised her voice.

She began to bawl. I'm a landlady, I am, and a respectable woman I'll have you know. I'll have no lice in my house sneaking their way into the furniture and eating up everything. It's cash, or out you go before 12 o'clock tomorrow. Viola felt rather than saw

the woman's gesture. She shot out her arm in a stupid, helpless way as though a dirty pigeon had suddenly flown at her face. Filthy old beast, and the smell of her like stale cheese and damp washing. Very well, she answered shortly,

It's cash down or I leave tomorrow. All right, don't shout. It was extraordinary. Always before this woman came near her, she trembled in her shoes. Even the sound of those flat feet stumping up the stairs made her feel sick. But once they were face to face, she felt immensely calm and indifferent and could not understand why she even worried about money, nor why she sneaked out of the house on tiptoe,

not even daring to shut the door after her in case the landlady should hear and shout something terrible. nor why she spent nights pacing up and down her room, drawing up sharply before the mirror, and saying to a tragic reflection, money, money, money. When she was alone, her poverty was like a huge dream mountain on which her feet were fast-rooted, aching with the ache of the size of the thing. But if it came to definite action, with no time for imaginings, her dream mountain dwindled into a beastly, hold your nose affair, to be past as crue. quickly as possible, with anger and a strong sense of superiority.

The landlady bounced out of the room, banging the door, so that it shook and rattled as though it had listened to the conversation and fully sympathised with the old hag. Squatting on her heels, Viola opened the letter. It was from Casimir. I shall be with you at three o'clock this afternoon, and must be off again this evening. All news when we meet. I hope you are happier than I.

"'Kazimia!' "'How kind!' she sneered. "'How condescending! "'Too good of you, really!' "'She sprang to her feet, "'crumbling the letter in her hands. "'And how are you to know that I shall stick here "'awating your pleasure until three o'clock this afternoon?'

"'But she knew she would. "'Her rage was only half sincere. "'She longed to see Kazimir, "'for she was confident that this time "'she would make him understand the situation. "'For, as it is, it's in, Tolerable, intolerable, she muttered. It was ten o'clock in the morning of a grey day,

curiously lighted by pale flashes of sunshine. Searched by these flashes, her room looked tumbled and grimed. She pulled down the window blinds, but they gave a persistent white-ish glare, which was just as bad. The only thing of life in the room was a jar of hyacinths given her by the landlady's daughter. It stood on the table, exuding a sickly perfume,

from its plump petals. There were even rich buds unfolding, and the leaves shone like oil. Viola went over to the washstand, poured some water into the enamel basin, and sponged her face and neck. She dipped her face into the water, opened her eyes, and shook her head from side to side.

It was exhilarating. She did it three times. I suppose I could drown myself if I stayed under long enough, she thought. I wonder how long it takes to become unconscious. Often read of women drowning in a bucket. I wonder if any air enters by the ears, if the basin would have to be as deep as a bucket.

She experimented, gripped the washstand with both hands, and slowly sank her head into the water, when again there was a knock on the door. Not the landlady this time. There must be Kazimir. With her face and hair dripping, with her petticoat bodice unbuttoned, she ran and opened it.

A strange man stood against the lintel, Seeing her, he opened his eyes very wide and smiled delightfully. Excuse me, does Froland Schefer live here? No, never heard of her. His smile was so infectious she wanted to smile too, and the water had made her feel so fresh and rosy. The strange man appeared overwhelmed with astonishment. She doesn't, he cried.

She is out, do you mean? No, she's not living here, answered Viola. But pardon. One moment. He moved from the door-lindle, standing squarely in front of her. He unbuttoned his greatcoat and drew a slip of paper from the breast-pocket, smoothing it in his gloved fingers before handing it to her. Yes, that's the address right enough, but there must be a mistake in the number.

So many lodging houses in this street, you know, and so big. Drops of water fell from her hair onto the paper. She burst out laughing. Oh, how dreadful I must look! one moment. She ran back to the washstand and caught up a towel. The door was still open. After all, there was nothing more to be said. Why on earth had she asked him to wait a moment? She folded the towel round her shoulders and returned to the door, suddenly grave. I'm sorry, I know no such name, in a sharp voice, said the strange man, sorry too.

Have you been living here long? Ah, yes, a long time. She began to. She began to. to close the door slowly. Well, good morning, thanks so much. Hope I haven't been a bother. Good morning. She heard him walk down the passage and then pause, lighting a cigarette. Yes, a faint scent of delicious cigarette smoke

penetrated her room. She sniffed at it, smiling again. Well, that had been a fascinating interlude. He looked so amazingly happy. His heavy clothes and big buttoned gloves, his beautifully brushed hair, and that smile. Jolly was the word. Just a well-fed boy with a whirl through his playground.

People like that did one good. One felt made over at the sight of them. Sane they were, so sane and solid. You could depend on them never having one mad impulse from the day they were born until the day they died. And life was in league with them, jumped them on her knee, quite rightly too. At that moment she noticed Kazimir,

letter crumpled up on the floor. The smile faded. Staring at the letter, she began braiding her hair. A dull feeling of rage crept through her. She seemed to be braiding it into her brain and binding it tightly above her head. Of course that had been the mistake all along. What had? Oh, Kazimir's frightful seriousness. If she had been happy when they first met, she never would have looked at him, but they had been like two patients in the same hospital ward, each finding comfort in the sickness of the other, sweet foundation for a love episode. Misfortune had knocked their heads together.

They had looked at each other's stunned with a conflict and sympathised. I wish I could step outside the whole affair and just judge it, then I'd find a way out. I certainly was in love with Casimir. I'll be sincere for once. She flopped down on the bed and hid her face in the pillow. I was not in love. I wanted somebody to look after me and keep me until my work began to sell,

and he kept bothers with other men away. And what would have happened if he hadn't come along? I would have spent my wretched little pittance, and then... Yes, that was what decided me, thinking about that then. He was the only solution. And I believed in him then. I thought his work had only to be recognised once, and he'd roll in wealth. I thought perhaps we might be for for a month, but he said,

if only he could have me, the stimulus. Funny, if it wasn't so damn tragic, exactly the opposite has happened. He hasn't had a thing published for months. Neither have I, but then I didn't expect to. Yes, the truth is I'm hard and bitter, and I have neither faith nor love for unsuccessful men. I always end by despising them as I despise Kazimir. I suppose it's the savage pride of the female who likes to think the man to whom she has given herself must be a very great chief indeed

but to stew in this disgusting house while Casimir scows the land in the hope of finding one the editorial open door it's humiliating it's changed my whole nature I wasn't born for poverty I only flower among really jolly people

and people who never are worried the figure of the strange man rose before I would not be dismissed. That was the man for me, after all is said and done. A man without a care, who'd give me everything I want, and with whom I'd always feel that sense of life and of being in touch with the world. I never wanted to fight. It was thrust on me. Really, there's a fount of happiness in me that is drying up little by little in this hateful existence. I'll be dead if this goes on, and she stood in the bed and flung out her arms. want passion and love and adventure. I yearn for them. Why should I stay here and rot? I am rotting,

she cried, comforting herself with the sound of her breaking voice. But if I tell Kazimir all this when he comes this afternoon and he says, go, as he certainly will, that's another thing I loathe about him. He's under my thumb. What should I do then? Where should I go to? There was nowhere. I don't want to work or carve out my own path. I want ease in any amount of nursing in the lap of luxury. There is only one thing I'm fitted for, and that is to be a great court, Dazan. But she did not know how to go about it. She was frightened to go into the streets. She heard of such awful things happening to those women, men with diseases or men who didn't pay. Besides, the idea of a strange man every night. No, that was out of the question.

If I'd the clothes, I would go to a really good hotel and find some wealthy man, like the strange man this morning. He would be ideal. Oh, if I only had his address, I'm sure I would fascinate him. I'd keep him laughing all day. I'd make him give me unlimited money. At the thought she grew warm and soft. She began to dream of a wonderful house and of presses full of clothes and of perfumes. She saw herself stepping into carriages, looking at the strange man with a mysterious, voluptuous glance. She practised the glance, lying on the bed, and never another worry, just drugged with happiness.

That was the life for her. Well, the thing to do was to let Kazimir go on his wild goose chase that evening, and while he was away. What? Also, pleased to remember, there was the rent to be paid before twelve next morning, and she hadn't the money for a square meal. At the thought of food, she felt ashamed of her. sharp twinge in her stomach, a sensation as though there were a hand in her stomach, squeezing

it dry. She was terribly hungry, all Kazimir's fault, and that man had lived on the fat of the land ever since he was born. He looked as though he could order a magnificent dinner. Oh, why hadn't she played her cards better? If I had that time over again, I'd be safe by now. And instead of the ordinary man who had spoken with her at the door, her mind created a brilliant laughing image who would treat her like a queen. There's only one thing I could not stand, that he should be coarse or vulgar. Well, he wasn't. He was obviously a man of the world and the way he apologized. I'd have enough faith in my own power and beauty to know I could make a man treat me just as I wanted to be treated. It floated into her dreams, that sweet scent of cigarette smoke.

And then she remembered that she had heard nobody go down the stone stairs. Was it possible that the strange man was still there? The thought was too absurd. Life didn't play tricks like that, and yet she was quite conscious of his nearness. Very quietly she got up, unhooked from the back of the door, a long white gown, buttoned it on, smiling slyly. She did not know what was going to happen, she only thought, oh what fun, and that they were playing a delicious game, this strange man and she. Very gently she turned to the door handle, screwing up her face and biting her lip as the lock snapped back. Of course, there he was, leaning against the banister rail.

He wheeled round as she slipped into the passage. Duh, she muttered, folding her gown tightly around her, I must go downstairs and fetch some wood. Buh, the cold. There isn't any wood, volunteered the strange man. She gave a little cry of astonishment and then tossed her head. "'You again,' she said scornfully, "'conscious the while of his merry eye

"'and the fresh strong smell of his healthy body. "'The landlady shouted out there was no wood left. "'I just saw her go out to buy some.' "'Story, story, she longed to cry. "'He came quite close to her, stood over her, and whispered, "'and you're going to ask me to finish my cigarette in your room?' "'She nodded. "'You may, if you want to?'

In that moment, together in the passage, a miracle had happened. Her room was quite changed. It was full of sweet light and the scent of hyacinth flowers. Even the furniture appeared different, exciting. Quick as a flash, she remembered childish parties when they had played charades, and one side had left the room and come in again to act a word, just what she was doing now. The strange man went over to the stove and sat down in her armchair.

She did not want him to talk or come near her. It was enough to see him in the room, so secure and happy. How hungry she had been for the nearness of someone like that, who knew nothing at all about her, and made no demands, but just lived. Viola ran over to the table and put her arms round the jar of hyacinths. Beautiful, beautiful, she cried, burying her head in the flowers and sniffing greedily at the scent. Over the leaves she looked at the man and laughed.

You're a funny little thing, he said lazily. Why? Because I love flowers. I'd far rather you loved other things, said the strange man slowly. She broke off a little pink petal and smiled at it. Let me send you some flowers, said the strange man. I'll send you a room full if you'd like them. His voice frightened her slightly. Oh, no thanks.

this one is quite enough for me.' "'No, it isn't,' in a teasing voice. What a stupid remark, thought Viola, and looking at him again, he did not seem quite so jolly. She noticed that his eyes were set too closely together, and they were too small. Horrible thought that he should prove stupid. "'What do you do all day?' she asked hastily. "'Nothing. Nothing at all? Why should I do anything?' "'Oh, don't imagine for one moment that I condemn such wisdom, only it sounds too good to be true.'

"'What's that?' he craned forward. "'What sounds too good to be true?' "'Yes, there was no denying it. He looked silly. "'I suppose the searching after Fraulein Schaefer doesn't occupy all your days?' "'Oh, no,' he smiled broadly. "'That's very good. By Jove, no. "'I drive a good bit. Are you keen on horses?' She nodded. Love them.

"'You must come driving with me. I've got a fine pair of greys. Will you?' "'Pretty-eyed-look perched behind greys in my one-and-only hat, thought she. "'Allowed. I'd love to.' Her easy acceptance pleased him. "'How about tomorrow?' he suggested. "'Suppose you have lunch with me to-morrow, and I take you driving.' "'After all, this was just a game.' "'Yes, I'm not busy to-morrow,' she said.

A little pause. Then the strange man patted his leg. Why don't you come and sit down, he said. She pretended not to see and swung onto the table. Oh, I'm all right here. No, you're not, again the teasing voice. Come and sit on my knee. Oh no, said Viola very heartily, suddenly busy with her hair.

Why not? I don't want to. Oh, come along, impatiently. She shook her hair. head from side to side. I wouldn't dream of such a thing. At that he got up and came over to her. Funny little bus cat. He put up one hand to touch her hair. Don't, she said, and slipped off the table. I think it's time you went now. She was quite frightened now, thinking only this man must be got rid of as quickly as possible. Oh, but you don't want me to go? Yes, I do. I'm very busy. Busy? What does Pussycat do all day? Lots and lots of things. She wanted to push him out of the room and slam the door on him. Idiot, full, cruel, disappointment. What's he frowning for, he asked. Is she worried about anything? Suddenly, serious. I say, you know, are you in any financial difficulty? Do you want money? I'll give it to you if you like. Money, steady on the break. Don't lose your head.

So she spoke to herself. I give you two hundred marks if you'll kiss me. Oh, boo, what a condition! And I don't want to kiss you. I don't like kissing. Please go. Yes, you do? Yes, you do? He caught hold of her arms above the elbows. She struggled and was quite amazed to realize how angry she felt.

Let me go, immediately, she cried, and he slipped one arm round her body and drew her towards him, like a bar of iron across her back that arm. "'Leave me alone, I tell you. Don't be mean. I didn't want this to happen when you came into my room. How dare you?' "'Well, kiss me, and I'll go.' It was too idiotic, dodging that stupid, smiling face. "'I won't kiss you. You brute! I won't!'

Somehow she slipped out of his arms and ran to the wall, stood back against it, breathing quickly. "'Get out!' she stammered. Go on now, clear out!' At that moment when he was not touching her, she quite enjoyed herself. She thrilled at her own angry voice, to think I should talk to a man like that. An angry flush spread over his face, his lips curled back, showing his teeth, just like a dog, thought Viola. He made a rush at her and held her against the wall, pressed upon her with all the weight of his body. This time she could not get free. I won't kiss you. I won't. Stop doing that.

Oh, you're like a dog. You ought to find love. is round lamppost, you beast, you fiend. He did not answer, with an expression of the most absurd determination he pressed ever more heavily upon her. He did not even look at her, but rapped out in a sharp voice, keep quiet, keep quiet. Why I mean so strong? She began to cry, go away, I don't want you, you dirty creature. I want to murder you.

Oh my God, if I had a knife! Don't be silly. Come and be good. He dragged her towards the bed. Do you suppose I'm a light woman? She snarled and swooping over, she fastened her teeth in his glove. Ah, don't do that. You're hurting me. She did not let go, but her heart said,

Thank the Lord I thought of this. Stop this minute, you vixen, you bitch! He threw her away from him. She saw with joy that his eyes were full of tears. You've really hurt me, he said in a choking voice. "'Of course I have. I meant to. There's nothing to what I'll do if you touch me again.' The strange man picked up his hat. "'No thanks,' he said grimly.

"'But I'll not forget this. I'll go to your landlady.' "'Poh!' she shrugged her shoulders and laughed. "'I'll tell her you forced your way in here and tried to assault me. "'Who would she believe, with your bitten hand? "'You go and find your chef's.' "'A sensation of glorious, intoxicating happiness flooded via. She rolled her eyes at him. If you don't go away this moment, I'll bite you again, she said,

and the absurd words started her laughing. Even when the door was closed, hearing him descending the stairs, she laughed and danced about the room. What a morning! Oh, chalk it up! That was her first fight, and she'd won. She'd conquered that beast, all by herself. Her hands were still trembling.

She pulled up the sleeve of her gown, great red marks on her arms. My ribs will be blue. I'll be blue all over, she reflected. If only that beloved Casimir could have seen us. And the feeling of rage and disgust against Casimir had totally disappeared. How could the poor darling help not having any money? It was her fault as much as his,

and he, just like her, was apart from the world, fighting it, just as she had done. If only three o'clock would come. She saw herself running towards him and putting her arms, around his neck. My blessed one, of course we are bound to win. Do you love me still? I've been horrible lately. End of.

The swing of the pendulum. A blaze in Inner German Pension by Catherine Mansfield. This Libravox recording is in the public domain, read by Peter Dan. A blaze. Max, you silly devil, you break your neck if you go careering down the slide that way.

Drop it and come to the clubhouse with me and get some coffee. I've had enough for today. I'm damp all through. There, give us a cigarette, Victor, old man. When are you going home? Not for another hour. It's fine this afternoon, and I'm getting into decent shape. Look out, get off the track. Here comes Fralain Winkle. Damn, elegant, the way she manages her sleigh. I'm cold all through, that's the worst of this place, the mists.

It's a damp cold here. here. Here, foreman, look after this sleigh, and stick it somewhere so that I can get it without looking through 150 others tomorrow morning. They sat down at a small round table near the stove and ordered coffee. Victor sprawled in his chair, patting his little brown dog Bobo and looking half-laughingly at Max. What's the matter, my dear? Isn't the world being nice and pretty? I want my coffee and I want to put my feet into my pocket. They're like to. like stones. Nothing to eat, thanks. The cake is like underdone India rubber here. Fuchs and Vistubar came and sat at their table. Max half turned his back and stretched his feet

out to the oven. The three other men all began talking at once, of the weather, of the record slide, of the fine condition of the waltzy for skating. Suddenly Fuchs looked at Max, raised his eyebrows and nodded across to Victor, who shook his head. Baby doesn't feel well, he said, feeding the brown dog with broken lumps of sugar, and nobody's to disturb him. I'm nurse. That's the first time I've ever known him off colour, said Vistaba. I've always imagined he had the better part of this world that could not be taken away from him. I think he says his prayers to the dear Lord for having spared him being taken home in seven baskets full tonight.

It's a fool's game to risk your all that way and leave the nation desolate. "'Dry up,' said Max. "'You ought to be wheeled about on the snow in a perambulator.' "'Oh, no offence, I hope. Don't get nasty. "'How's your wife, Victor?' "'She's not at all well. "'She hurt her head coming down the slide with Max on Sunday. "'I told her to stay at home all day.

"'I'm sorry. "'Are you other fellows going back to the town or stopping on here?' "'Fuchs and Victor said they were stopping. "'Max did not answer, "'but sat motionless while the men paid for their coffee and moved away. Victor came back a moment and put a hand on his shoulder. If you're going right back, my dear, I wish you'd look outside up and tell her I won't be in till late. And feed with us tonight at Limbord, will you? And take some hot grog when you get in.

Thanks all, fellow, I'm all right, going back now. He rose, stretched himself, buttoned on his heavy coat and lighted another cigarette. From the door Victor watched him plunging through the heavy snow, head bent, hands thrust in his pockets. He almost appeared to be running through the heavy snow towards the town. Someone came stamping up the stairs, paused at the door of her sitting room and knocked. Is that you, Victor, she called. No, it is I. Can I come in? Of course. Why, what a Santa Claus. Hang your coat on the landing and shake yourself over the banisters. Had a good time. The room was full of light and warmth. Elsa, in a white velvet tea-gown, lay curled up on the sofa,

a book of fashions on her lap, a box of creams beside her. The curtains were not yet drawn before the windows, and a blue light shone through, and the white boughs of the trees sprayed across. A woman's room, full of flowers and photographs and silk pillows, the floor smothered in rugs, an immense tiger-skin under the piano, just the head protruding, sleepily savage.

It was good enough, said Max. Victor can't be until late. He told me to come up and tell you. He started walking up and down, tore off his gloves and flung them on the table. Don't do that, Max, said Ersa. You'll get on my nerves, and I've got a headache today. I'm feverish and quite flushed. Don't I look flushed?

He paused by the window and glanced at her a moment over his shoulder. No, he said, I didn't notice it. Oh, you haven't looked at me properly, and I've got a new tea gown on, too. She pulled her skirts together and patted a little place on the couch. Come along and sit by me, and tell me why you're being naughty. But standing by the window, he suddenly flung his arm across his eyes. Oh, he said, I can't, I'm done, I'm spent, I'm smashed. Silence in the room.

The fashion book fell to the floor with a quick rustle of leaves. Elsa sat forward, her hands clasped in her lap, a strange light shone in her eyes, a red colour stained her mouth. Then she spoke very quietly. Come over here and explain yourself. I don't know what on earth you're talking about. You do know, you know far better than I. You've simply played with Victor in my presence that I may feel worse. You've tormented me, you've led me on, offering me everything and nothing at all. It's been a spider-and-fly business from first to last, and I've never for one moment been ignorant of that,

and I've never for one moment been able to withstand it. He turned round deliberately. Do you suppose that when you asked me to pin your flowers into your evening gown, when you let me come into your bedroom when Victor was out while you did your hair, when you pretended to be a baby and let me feed you with grapes, when you have run to me and searched in all my pockets for a cigarette, knowing perfectly well where they were kept, going through every pocket just the same. I knowing, too, eye keeping up the farce.

Do you suppose that now you have finally lighted your bonfire, you are going to find it a peaceful and pleasant thing? You are going to prevent the whole house from burning? She suddenly turned white and drew in her breath sharply. Don't talk to me like that. You have no right to talk to me like that. I am another man's wife. Hmm, he sneered, thrott.

throwing back his head. That's rather late in the game, and that's been your trump guard all along. You only love Victor on the Captain Cream principle. You a poor little starved kitten that he's given everything to, that he's carried in his breast, never dreaming that those little pink claws could tear out a man's heart. She stirred, looking at him with almost fear in her eyes. After all, unsteadily, this is my room. I'll have to ask you to go. He stumbled towards her, knelt down by the couch, bearing his head in her lap, clasping his arms round her waist. And I love you. I love you.

The humiliation of it. I adore you. Don't, don't, just a minute, let me stay here, just a moment, in a whole life. Elsa, Elsa, she leant back and pressed her head into the pillows. Then his muffled voice, I feel like a savage. I want your whole body. I want to carry you away to a cave and love you until I kill you. You can't understand how a man feels.

I'll kill myself when I see you. I'm sick of my own strength that turns in upon itself and dies and rises newborn like a phoenix out of the ashes of that horrible death. Love me just this once. Tell me a lie. Say you do, you're always lying. Instead, she pushed him away, frightened. Get up. said, suppose the servant came in with the tea.

Oh, ye got! He stumbled to his feet and stood staring down at her. You're rotten to the core, and so am I, but you're heathenishly beautiful. The woman went over to the piano, stood there, striking one note, her brows drawn together. Then she shrugged her shoulders and smiled. I'll make a confession.

Every word you have said is true. I can't help it. I can't help seeking admiration any more than a cat can help going to people to be stroked. It's my nature. I'm born out of my time. And yet, you know, I'm not a common woman. I like men to adore me,

to flatter me, even to make love to me. But I would never give myself to any man. I would never let a man kiss me even. It's immeasurably worse. You've no legitimate excuse. why even a prostitute has a greater sense of generosity. I know, she said. I know perfectly well, but I can't help the way I'm built.

Are you going? He put on his gloves. Well, he said, what's going to happen to us now? Again, she shrugged her shoulders. I haven't the slightest idea. I never have. Just let things occur. All alone, cried Victor.

Has Max been here? He only stayed a moment and wouldn't even have tea. I sent him home to change his clothes. He was frightfully boring. You poor darling, your hair's coming down. I'll fix it. Stand still a moment. So you were bored? Hmm, frightfully.

Oh, you've run a hairpin right into your wife's head, you naughty boy. She flung her arms round his neck and looked up at him, half-loughing, like a beautiful, loving child. God, what a woman. woman you are, said the men. You make me so infernally proud, dearest, that I... I tell you. End of. Ablaise. End of In a German Pension by Catherine Mansfield.